Glucan fiber compositions for use in laundry care and fabric care

ABSTRACT

An enzymatically produced α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositions is provided. The enzymatically produced α-glucan oligomer/polymers can be derivatized into α-glucan ether compounds. The α-glucan oligomers/polymers and the corresponding α-glucan ethers are cellulose and/or protease resistant, making them suitable for use in fabric care and laundry care applications. Methods for the production and use of the present compositions are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the National Stage application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2016/060839 (filed Nov. 2, 2016), which claims thebenefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/255,217(filed Nov. 13, 2015), all of which prior applications are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF THE SEQUENCE LISTING

The official copy of the sequence listing is submitted electronicallyvia EFS-Web as an ASCII formatted sequence listing with a file named20161104_CL6278WOPCT_SequenceListing_ST25.txt created on Nov. 2, 2016and having a size of 91,265 bytes and is filed concurrently with thespecification. The sequence listing contained in this ASCII-formatteddocument is part of the specification and is filed herein incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, andderivatives thereof. Specially, the disclosure pertains to certainα-glucan polymers, derivatives of these α-glucans such as α-glucanethers, and their use in fabric care and laundry care applications.

BACKGROUND

Driven by a desire to find new structural polysaccharides usingenzymatic syntheses or genetic engineering of microorganisms,researchers have discovered oligosaccharides and polysaccharides thatare biodegradable and can be made economically from renewably sourcedfeedstocks.

Various saccharide oligomer compositions have been reported in the art.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,314 discloses an α-glucan comprising atleast 20, up to about 100,000 α-anhydroglucose units, 38-48% of whichare 4-linked anhydroglucose units, 17-28% are 6-linked anhydroglucoseunits, and 7-20% are 4,6-linked anhydroglucose units and/orgluco-oligosaccharides containing at least two 4-linked anhydroglucoseunits, at least one 6-linked anhydroglucose unit and at least one4,6-linked anhydroglucose unit. U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. No.2010-0284972A1 discloses a composition for improving the health of asubject comprising an α-(1,2)-branched α-(1,6) oligodextran. U.S. PatentAppl. Pub. No. 2011-0020496A1 discloses a branched dextrin having astructure wherein glucose or isomaltooligosaccharide is linked to anon-reducing terminus of a dextrin through an α-(1,6) glycosidic bondand having a DE of 10 to 52. U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,586 discloses abranched maltodextrin composition comprising 22-35% (1,6) glycosidiclinkages; a reducing sugars content of <20%; a polymolecularity index(Mp/Mn) of <5; and number average molecular weight (Mn) of 4500 g/mol orless. U.S. Pat. No. 7,612,198 discloses soluble, highly branched glucosepolymers, having a reducing sugar content of less than 1%, a level ofα-(1,6) glycosidic bonds of between 13 and 17% and a molecular weighthaving a value of between 0.9×10⁵ and 1.5×10⁵ daltons, wherein thesoluble highly branched glucose polymers have a branched chain lengthdistribution profile of 70 to 85% of a degree of polymerization (DP) ofless than 15, of 10 to 14% of DP of between 15 and 25 and of 8 to 13% ofDP greater than 25.

Poly α-1,3-glucan has been isolated by contacting an aqueous solution ofsucrose with a glucosyltransferase (gtf) enzyme isolated fromStreptococcus salivarius (Simpson et al., Microbiology 141:1451-1460,1995). U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,000 disclosed the preparation of apolysaccharide fiber using an S. salivarius gtfJ enzyme. At least 50% ofthe hexose units within the polymer of this fiber were linked viaα-1,3-glycosidic linkages. The disclosed polymer formed a liquidcrystalline solution when it was dissolved above a criticalconcentration in a solvent or in a mixture comprising a solvent. Fromthis solution continuous, strong, cotton-like fibers, highly suitablefor use in textiles, were spun and used.

Development of new glucan polysaccharides and derivatives thereof isdesirable given their potential utility in various applications. It isalso desirable to identify glucosyltransferase enzymes that cansynthesize new glucan polysaccharides, especially those with mixedglycosidic linkages, and derivatives thereof. The materials would beattractive for use in fabric care and laundry care applications to alterrheology, act as a structuring agent, provide a benefit (preferably asurface substantive effect) to a treated fabric, textile and/or articleof clothing (such as improved fabric hand, improved resistance to soildeposition, etc.). Many applications, such as laundry care, ofteninclude enzymes such as cellulases, proteases, amylases, and the like.As such, the glucan polysaccharides are preferably resistant tocellulase, amylase, and/or protease activity.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a fabric care composition is provided comprising:

-   -   a. an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5; and    -   b. at least one additional fabric care ingredient.

In another embodiment, a laundry care composition is providedcomprising:

-   -   a. an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5; and    -   b. at least one additional laundry care ingredient.

In another embodiment, the additional ingredient in the above fabriccare composition or the above laundry care composition is at least onecellulase, at least one protease, at least one amylase or anycombination thereof.

In another embodiment, the fabric care composition or the laundry carecomposition comprises 0.01 to 90% wt % of the soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition.

In another embodiment, the fabric care composition or the laundry carecomposition comprises at least one additional ingredient comprising atleast one of surfactants (anionic, nonionic, cationic, or zwitterionic),enzymes (proteases, cellulases, polyesterases, amylases, cutinases,lipases, pectate lyases, perhydrolases, xylanases, peroxidases, and/orlaccases in any combination), detergent builders, complexing agents,polymers (in addition to the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/orα-glucan ethers), soil release polymers, surfactancy-boosting polymers,bleaching systems, bleach activators, bleaching catalysts, fabricconditioners, clays, foam boosters, suds suppressors (silicone orfatty-acid based), anti-corrosion agents, soil-suspending agents,anti-soil redeposition agents, dyes, bactericides, tarnish inhibiters,optical brighteners, perfumes, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, dyetransfer inhibiting agents, chelating agents, hueing dyes, calcium andmagnesium cations, visual signaling ingredients, anti-foam,structurants, thickeners, anti-caking agents, starch, sand, gellingagents, and any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, a fabric care and/or laundry care composition isprovided wherein the composition is in the form of a liquid, a gel, apowder, a hydrocolloid, an aqueous solution, granules, tablets,capsules, single compartment sachets, multi-compartment sachets or anycombination thereof.

In another embodiment, the fabric care composition or the laundry carecomposition is packaged in a unit dose format.

Various glucan ethers may be produced from the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers. In another embodiment, an α-glucan ether compositionis provided comprising:

-   -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;    -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;    -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;    -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000 Daltons;    -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12 wt %        in water 20° C.;    -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.; and    -   i. a polydispersity index of less than 5; wherein the glucan        ether composition has a degree of substitution (DoS) with at        least one organic group of about 0.05 to about 3.0.

The α-glucan ether compositions may be used in a fabric care and/orlaundry care formulation comprising enzymes such as a cellulases andproteases. In another embodiment, glucan ether composition is cellulaseresistant, protease resistant, amylase resistant or any combinationthereof.

The α-glucan ether compositions may be used in a fabric care and/orlaundry care and/or personal care compositions. In another embodiment, apersonal care composition, fabric care composition or laundry carecomposition is provided comprising the above α-glucan ethercompositions.

In another embodiment, a method for preparing an aqueous composition isprovided, the method comprising: contacting an aqueous composition withthe above glucan ether composition wherein the aqueous compositioncomprises at least one cellulase, at least one protease, at least oneamylase or any combination thereof.

In another embodiment, a method of treating an article of clothing,textile or fabric is provided comprising:

-   -   a. providing a composition selected from        -   i. the above fabric care composition;        -   ii. the above laundry care composition;        -   iii. the above glucan ether composition;        -   iv. the α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:            -   a. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;            -   b. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;            -   c. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;            -   d. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000                Daltons;            -   e. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at                12 wt % in water 20° C.;            -   f. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25°                C.; and            -   g. a polydispersity index of less than 5; and        -   v. any combination of (i) through (iv);    -   b. contacting under suitable conditions the composition of (a)        with a fabric, textile or article of clothing whereby the        fabric, textile or article of clothing is treated and receives a        benefit; and    -   c. optionally rinsing the treated fabric, textile or article of        clothing of (b).

In another embodiment of the above method, the α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition or the α-glucan ether composition is a surface substantive.

In a further embodiment of the above method, the benefit is selectedfrom the group consisting of improved fabric hand, improved resistanceto soil deposition, improved colorfastness, improved wear resistance,improved wrinkle resistance, improved antifungal activity, improvedstain resistance, improved cleaning performance when laundered, improveddrying rates, improved dye, pigment or lake update, and any combinationthereof.

In another embodiment, a method to produce a glucan ether composition isprovided comprising:

-   -   a. providing an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition        comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5;    -   b. contacting the α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition of (a)        in a reaction under alkaline conditions with at least one        etherification agent comprising an organic group; whereby an        α-glucan ether is produced has a degree of substitution (DoS)        with at least one organic group of about 0.05 to about 3.0; and    -   c. optionally isolating the α-glucan ether produced in step (b).

A textile, yarn, fabric or fiber may be modified to comprise (e.g.,blended or coated with) the above α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionor the corresponding α-glucan ether composition. In another embodiment,a textile, yarn, fabric or fiber is provided comprising:

-   -   a. an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5;    -   b. a glucan ether composition comprising        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5;        -   wherein the glucan ether composition has a degree of            substitution (DoS) with at least one organic group of about            0.05 to about 3.0; or    -   c. any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCES

The following sequences comply with 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.821-1.825(“Requirements for Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequencesand/or Amino Acid Sequence Disclosures—the Sequence Rules”) and areconsistent with World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) StandardST.25 (2009) and the sequence listing requirements of the EuropeanPatent Convention (EPC) and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Rules5.2 and 49.5(a-bis), and Section 208 and Annex C of the AdministrativeInstructions. The symbols and format used for nucleotide and amino acidsequence data comply with the rules set forth in 37 C.F.R. § 1.822.

SEQ ID NO: 1 is the amino acid sequence of the Paenibacillus humicusmutanase as provided in GENBANK® gi:257153265 where GENBANK® gi:257153264 is the corresponding polynucleotide sequence.

SEQ ID NO: 2 is the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Paenibacillushumicus mutanase (GENBANK® gi: 257153265 where GENBANK® gi: 257153264 isthe corresponding polynucleotide sequence) used for expression in E.coli BL21(DE3).

SEQ ID NO: 3 is the amino acid sequence of the mature Paenibacillushumicus mutanase (GENBANK® gi: 257153264; referred to herein as the“3264 mutanase” or “mut3264”) used for expression in E. coli BL21(DE3).

SEQ ID NO: 4 is the amino acid sequence of the B. subtilis AprE signalpeptide used in the expression vector that was coupled to variousenzymes for expression in B. subtilis.

SEQ ID NO: 5 is the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Paenibacillushumicus mutanase used for expression in B. subtilis host BG6006.

SEQ ID NO: 6 is the amino acid sequence of the mature Paenibacillushumicus mutanase used for expression in B. subtilis host BG6006. As usedherein, this mutanase may also be referred to herein as “mut3264”.

SEQ ID NO: 7 is the nucleic acid sequence encoding the Penicilliummarneffei ATCC® 18224™ mutanase.

SEQ ID NO: 8 is the amino acid sequence of the Penicillium marneffeiATCC® 18224™ mutanase (GENBANK® gi: 212533325; also referred to hereinas the “3325 mutanase” or “mut3325”).

SEQ ID NO: 9 is the polynucleotide sequence of plasmid pTrex3.

SEQ ID NO: 10 is the amino acid sequence of the Lactobacillus reuteriglucosyltransferase as found in GENBANK® gi:51574154.

SEQ ID NO: 11 is the nucleic acid sequence encoding a truncated versionof the Lactobacillus reuteri glucosyltransferase (GENBANK® gi:51574154).

SEQ ID NO: 12 is the amino acid sequence encoding the truncatedLactobacillus reuteri glucosyltransferase referred to herein as“GTF4154”.

SEQ ID NO: 13 is the nucleic acid sequence of a polynucleotideterminator sequence.

SEQ ID NO: 14 is the nucleic acid sequence of a polynucleotide linkersequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this disclosure, a number of terms and abbreviations are used. Thefollowing definitions apply unless specifically stated otherwise.

As used herein, the articles “a”, “an”, and “the” preceding an elementor component are intended to be nonrestrictive regarding the number ofinstances (i.e., occurrences) of the element or component.

Therefore “a”, “an”, and “the” should be read to include one or at leastone, and the singular word form of the element or component alsoincludes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to be singular.

As used herein, the term “comprising” means the presence of the statedfeatures, integers, steps, or components as referred to in the claims,but that it does not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. The term“comprising” is intended to include embodiments encompassed by the terms“consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”. Similarly, the term“consisting essentially of” is intended to include embodimentsencompassed by the term “consisting of”.

As used herein, the term “about” modifying the quantity of an ingredientor reactant employed refers to variation in the numerical quantity thatcan occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handlingprocedures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the realworld; through inadvertent error in these procedures; throughdifferences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredientsemployed to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and thelike. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due todifferent equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from aparticular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term “about”,the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example,when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range should beconstrued as including ranges “1 to 4”, “1 to 3”, “1-2”, “1-2 & 4-5”,“1-3 & 5”, and the like.

As used herein, the term “obtainable from” shall mean that the sourcematerial (for example, sucrose) is capable of being obtained from aspecified source, but is not necessarily limited to that specifiedsource.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” will refer to the amount ofthe substance used or administered that is suitable to achieve thedesired effect. The effective amount of material may vary depending uponthe application. One of skill in the art will typically be able todetermine an effective amount for a particular application or subjectwithout undo experimentation.

The terms “percent by volume”, “volume percent”, “vol %” and “v/v %” areused interchangeably herein. The percent by volume of a solute in asolution can be determined using the formula: [(volume ofsolute)/(volume of solution)]×100%.

The terms “percent by weight”, “weight percentage (wt %)” and“weight-weight percentage (% w/w)” are used interchangeably herein.Percent by weight refers to the percentage of a material on a mass basisas it is comprised in a composition, mixture, or solution.

The terms “increased”, “enhanced” and “improved” are usedinterchangeably herein. These terms refer to a greater quantity oractivity such as a quantity or activity slightly greater than theoriginal quantity or activity, or a quantity or activity in large excesscompared to the original quantity or activity, and including allquantities or activities in between. Alternatively, these terms mayrefer to, for example, a quantity or activity that is at least 1%, 2%,3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%,19% or 20% more than the quantity or activity for which the increasedquantity or activity is being compared.

As used herein, the term “isolated” means a substance in a form orenvironment that does not occur in nature. Non-limiting examples ofisolated substances include (1) any non-naturally occurring substance,(2) any substance including, but not limited to, any host cell, enzyme,variant, nucleic acid, protein, peptide or cofactor, that is at leastpartially removed from one or more or all of the naturally occurringconstituents with which it is associated in nature; (3) any substancemodified by the hand of man relative to that substance found in nature;or (4) any substance modified by increasing the amount of the substancerelative to other components with which it is naturally associated.

As used herein, term “water soluble” will refer to the present glucanoligomer/polymer compositions that are soluble at 20 wt % or higher inpH 7 water at 25° C.

As used herein, the terms “soluble glucan fiber”, “α-glucan fiber”,“α-glucan polymer”, “α-glucan oligosaccharide”, “α-glucanpolysaccharide”, “α-glucan oligomer”, “α-glucan oligomer/polymer”,“α-glucan polymer”, and “soluble glucan fiber composition” refer to thepresent α-glucan polymer composition (non-derivatized; i.e., not anα-glucan ether) comprised of water soluble glucose oligomers having aglucose polymerization degree of 3 or more. The present soluble glucanpolymer composition is enzymatically synthesized from sucrose(α-D-Glucopyranosyl β-D-fructofuranoside; CAS #57-50-1) obtainable from,for example, sugarcane and/or sugar beets. In one embodiment, thepresent soluble α-glucan polymer composition is not alternan ormaltoalternan oligosaccharide.

As used herein, “weight average molecular weight” or “M_(w)” iscalculated as M_(w)=ΣN_(i)M_(i) ²/ΣN_(i)M_(i); where M_(i) is themolecular weight of a chain and N_(i) is the number of chains of thatmolecular weight. The weight average molecular weight can be determinedby technics such as static light scattering, small angle neutronscattering, X-ray scattering, and sedimentation velocity.

As used herein, “number average molecular weight” or “M_(n)” refers tothe statistical average molecular weight of all the polymer chains in asample. The number average molecular weight is calculated asM_(n)=ΣN_(i)M_(i)/ΣN_(i) where M_(i) is the molecular weight of a chainand N_(i) is the number of chains of that molecular weight. The numberaverage molecular weight of a polymer can be determined by technics suchas gel permeation chromatography, viscometry via the (Mark-Houwinkequation), and colligative methods such as vapor pressure osmometry,end-group determination or proton NMR.

As used herein, “polydispersity index”, “PDI”, “heterogeneity index”,and “dispersity” refer to a measure of the distribution of molecularmass in a given polymer (such as a glucose oligomer) sample and can becalculated by dividing the weight average molecular weight by the numberaverage molecular weight (PDI=M_(w)/M_(n)).

It shall be noted that the terms “glucose” and “glucopyranose” as usedherein are considered as synonyms and used interchangeably. Similarlythe terms “glucosyl” and “glucopyranosyl” units are used herein areconsidered as synonyms and used interchangeably.

As used herein, “glycosidic linkages” or “glycosidic bonds” will referto the covalent the bonds connecting the sugar monomers within asaccharide oligomer (oligosaccharides and/or polysaccharides). Exampleof glycosidic linkage may include α-linked glucose oligomers with1,6-α-D-glycosidic linkages (herein also referred to as α-D-(1,6)linkages or simply “α-(1,6)” linkages); 1,3-α-D-glycosidic linkages(herein also referred to as α-D-(1,3) linkages or simply “α-(1,3)”linkages; 1,4-α-D-glycosidic linkages (herein also referred to asα-D-(1,4) linkages or simply “α-(1,4)” linkages; 1,2-α-D-glycosidiclinkages (herein also referred to as α-D-(1,2) linkages or simply“α-(1,2)” linkages; and combinations of such linkages typicallyassociated with branched saccharide oligomers.

As used herein, the terms “glucansucrase”, “glucosyltransferase”,“glucoside hydrolase type 70”, “GTF”, and “GS” will refer totransglucosidases classified into family 70 of the glycoside-hydrolasestypically found in lactic acid bacteria such as Streptococcus,Leuconostoc, Weisella or Lactobacillus genera (see Carbohydrate ActiveEnzymes database; “CAZy”; Cantarel et al., (2009) Nucleic Acids Res37:D233-238). The GTF enzymes are able to polymerize the D-glucosylunits of sucrose to form homooligosaccharides or homopolysaccharides.Depending upon the specificity of the GTF enzyme, linear and/or branchedglucans comprising various glycosidic linkages may be formed such asα-(1,2), α-(1,3), α-(1,4) and α-(1,6). Glucosyltransferases may alsotransfer the D-glucosyl units onto hydroxyl acceptor groups. Anon-limiting list of acceptors may include carbohydrates, alcohols,polyols or flavonoids. Specific acceptors may also include maltose,isomaltose, isomaltotriose, and methyl-α-D-glucan, to name a few. Thestructure of the resultant glucosylated product is dependent upon theenzyme specificity. In one embodiment, the polypeptide havingglucosyltransferase activity comprises an amino acid sequence having atleast 90%, preferably at least 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 10 or 12. In a further embodiment, thepolypeptide having glucosyltransferase activity comprises an amino acidsequence having at least 95% identity, preferably 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100%identity to SEQ ID NO: 12. In one aspect, the glucosyltransferase isexpressed in a truncated and/or mature form.

As used herein, the term “isomaltooligosaccharide” or “IMO” refers to aglucose oligomers comprised essentially of α-D-(1,6) glycosidic linkagetypically having an average size of DP 2 to 20. Isomaltooligosaccharidescan be produced commercially from an enzymatic reaction of α-amylase,pullulanase, β-amylase, and α-glucosidase upon corn starch or starchderivative products. Commercially available products comprise a mixtureof isomaltooligosaccharides (DP ranging from 3 to 8, e.g.,isomaltotriose, isomaltotetraose, isomaltopentaose, isomaltohexaose,isomaltoheptaose, isomaltooctaose) and may also include panose.

As used herein, the term “dextran” refers to water soluble α-glucanscomprising at least 95% α-D-(1,6) glycosidic linkages (typically with upto 5% α-D-(1,3) glycosidic linkages at branching points). Dextrans oftenhave an average molecular weight above 1000 kDa. As used herein, enzymescapable of synthesizing dextran from sucrose may be described as“dextransucrases” (EC 2.4.1.5).

As used herein, the term “mutan” refers to water insoluble α-glucanscomprised primarily (50% or more of the glycosidic linkages present) of1,3-α-D glycosidic linkages and typically have a degree ofpolymerization (DP) that is often greater than 9. Enzymes capable ofsynthesizing mutan or α-glucan oligomers comprising greater than 50%1,3-α-D glycosidic linkages from sucrose may be described as“mutansucrases” (EC 2.4.1.-) with the proviso that the enzyme does notproduce alternan.

As used herein, the term “alternan” refers to α-glucans havingalternating 1,3-α-D glycosidic linkages and 1,6-α-D glycosidic linkagesover at least 50% of the linear oligosaccharide backbone. Enzymescapable of synthesizing alternan from sucrose may be described as“alternansucrases” (EC 2.4.1.140).

As used herein, the term “reuteran” refers to soluble α-glucan comprised1,4-α-D-glycosidic linkages (typically >50%); 1,6-α-D-glycosidiclinkages; and 4,6-disubstituted α-glucosyl units at the branchingpoints. Enzymes capable of synthesizing reuteran from sucrose may bedescribed as “reuteransucrases” (EC 2.4.1.-).

As used herein, the terms “α-glucanohydrolase” and “glucanohydrolase”will refer to an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing an α-glucan oligomer. Asused herein, the glucanohydrolase may be defined by the endohydrolysisactivity towards certain α-D-glycosidic linkages. Examples may include,but are not limited to, dextranases (EC 3.2.1.1; capable ofendohydrolyzing α-(1,6)-linked glycosidic bonds), mutanases (EC3.2.1.59; capable of endohydrolyzing α-(1,3)-linked glycosidic bonds),and alternanases (EC 3.2.1.-; capable of endohydrolytically cleavingalternan). Various factors including, but not limited to, level ofbranching, the type of branching, and the relative branch length withincertain α-glucans may adversely impact the ability of anα-glucanohydrolase to endohydrolyze some glycosidic linkages.

As used herein, the term “dextranase” (α-1,6-glucan-6-glucanohydrolase;EC 3.2.1.11) refers to an enzyme capable of endohydrolysis of1,6-α-D-glycosidic linkages (the linkage predominantly found indextran). Dextranases are known to be useful for a number ofapplications including the use as ingredient in dentifrice forprevention of dental caries, plaque and/or tartar and for hydrolysis ofraw sugar juice or syrup of sugar canes and sugar beets. Severalmicroorganisms are known to be capable of producing dextranases, amongthem fungi of the genera Penicillium, Paecilomyces, Aspergillus,Fusarium, Spicaria, Verticillium, Helminthosporium and Chaetomium;bacteria of the genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Cellvibrio,Cytophaga, Brevibacterium, Pseudomonas, Corynebacterium, Arthrobacterand Flavobacterium, and yeasts such as Lipomyces starkeyi. Food gradedextranases are commercially available. An example of a food gradedextrinase is DEXTRANASE® Plus L, an enzyme from Chaetomium erraticumsold by Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark. In a preferred aspect, thedextranase is the Chaetomium erraticum dextranase. In furtherembodiment, the dextranase is Dextranase L from Chaetomium erraticum.

As used herein, the term “mutanase” (glucan endo-1,3-α-glucosidase; EC3.2.1.59) refers to an enzyme which hydrolytically cleaves1,3-α-D-glycosidic linkages (the linkage predominantly found in mutan).Mutanases are available from a variety of bacterial and fungal sources.A non-limiting list of mutanases is provided as amino acid sequences 1,3, 6, and 8. In a preferred embodiment, the mutanase comprises an aminoacid sequence having at least 90% identity, preferably 91, 92, 93, 94,95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identity to SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 6 or 8. In afurther preferred embodiment, the mutanase comprises at least 95%identity, preferably 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 3.

As used herein, the term “alternanase” (EC 3.2.1.-) refers to an enzymewhich endo-hydrolytically cleaves alternan (U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,196 toCote et al.).

As used herein, the term “wild type enzyme” will refer to an enzyme(full length and active truncated forms thereof) comprising the aminoacid sequence as found in the organism from which it was obtained and/orannotated. The enzyme (full length or catalytically active truncationthereof) may be recombinantly produced in a microbial host cell. Theenzyme is typically purified prior to being used as a processing aid inthe production of the present soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition. In one aspect, a combination of at least two wild typeenzymes simultaneously present in the reaction system is used in orderto obtain the present α-glucan polymer composition. In another aspect,under certain reaction conditions (for example, a reaction temperaturearound 47° C. to 50° C.) it may be possible to use a single wild typeglucosyltransferase to produce the present soluble α-glucan polymer (seeExamples 38, 44, and 45). In another aspect, the present methodcomprises a single reaction chamber comprising at least oneglucosyltransferase capable of forming a soluble α-glucan polymercomposition comprising 50% or more α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages (such asa mutansucrase) and at least one α-glucanohydrolase havingendohydrolysis activity for the α-glucan synthesized from theglucosyltransferase(s) present in the reaction system.

As used herein, the terms “substrate for the enzymatic reaction” and“suitable substrate for α-glucan polymer synthesis” will refer to acomposition comprising sucrose. In one embodiment, the substratecomposition may further comprise one or more suitable acceptors, such asmaltose, isomaltose, isomaltotriose, and methyl-α-D-glucan, to name afew. In one embodiment, a combination of at least oneglucosyltransferase capable for forming glucose oligomers is used incombination with at least one α-glucanohydrolase in the same reactionmixture (i.e., they are simultaneously present and active in thereaction mixture). As such the “substrate” for the α-glucanohydrolase isthe glucose oligomers concomitantly being synthesized in the reactionsystem by the glucosyltransferase from sucrose. In one aspect, atwo-enzyme method (i.e., at least one glucosyltransferase (GTF) and atleast one α-glucanohydrolase) where the enzymes are not usedconcomitantly in the reaction mixture is excluded, by proviso, from thepresent methods.

As used herein, the terms “suitable enzymatic reaction mixture”,“suitable enzymatic reaction components”, “suitable enzymatic aqueousreaction mixture”, and “enzymatic reaction mixture”, refer to thematerials (suitable substrate(s)) and water in which the reactants comeinto contact with the enzyme(s). The suitable reaction components may becomprised of a plurality of enzymes. In one aspect, the suitablereaction components comprises at least one glucansucrase enzyme. In afurther aspect, the suitable reaction components comprise at least oneglucansucrase and at least one α-glucanohydrolase.

As used herein, “one unit of glucansucrase activity” or “one unit ofglucosyltransferase activity” is defined as the amount of enzymerequired to convert 1 umol of sucrose per minute when incubated with 200g/L sucrose at pH 5.5 and 37° C. The sucrose concentration wasdetermined using HPLC.

As used herein, “one unit of dextranase activity” is defined as theamount of enzyme that forms 1 μmol reducing sugar per minute whenincubated with 0.5 mg/mL dextran substrate at pH 5.5 and 37° C. Thereducing sugars were determined using the PAHBAH assay (Lever M.,(1972), A New Reaction for Colorimetric Determination of Carbohydrates,Anal. Biochem. 47, 273-279).

As used herein, “one unit of mutanase activity” is defined as the amountof enzyme that forms 1 μmol reducing sugar per minute when incubatedwith 0.5 mg/mL mutan substrate at pH 5.5 and 37° C. The reducing sugarswere determined using the PAHBAH assay (Lever M., supra).

As used herein, the term “enzyme catalyst” refers to a catalystcomprising an enzyme or combination of enzymes having the necessaryactivity to obtain the desired soluble α-glucan polymer composition. Incertain embodiments, a combination of enzyme catalysts may be requiredto obtain the desired soluble glucan polymer composition. The enzymecatalyst(s) may be in the form of a whole microbial cell, permeabilizedmicrobial cell(s), one or more cell components of a microbial cellextract(s), partially purified enzyme(s) or purified enzyme(s). Incertain embodiments the enzyme catalyst(s) may also be chemicallymodified (such as by pegylation or by reaction with cross-linkingreagents). The enzyme catalyst(s) may also be immobilized on a solubleor insoluble support using methods well-known to those skilled in theart; see for example, Immobilization of Enzymes and Cells; Gordon F.Bickerstaff, Editor; Humana Press, Totowa, N.J., USA; 1997.

The term “resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis” will refer to the relativestability of the present materials (α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/orthe corresponding α-glucan ether compounds produced by theetherification of the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers) to enzymatichydrolysis. The resistance to hydrolysis will be particular importantfor use of the present materials in applications wherein enzymes areoften present, such as in fabric care and laundry care applications. Inone embodiment, the α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or the correspondingα-glucan ether compounds produced by the etherification of the presentα-glucan oligomers/polymers are resistant to cellulases (i.e., cellulaseresistant). In another embodiment, the α-glucan oligomers/polymersand/or the corresponding α-glucan ether compounds produced by theetherification of the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers are resistantto proteases (i.e., protease resistant). In another embodiment, theα-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or the corresponding α-glucan ethercompounds produced by the etherification of the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers are resistant to amylases (i.e., amylase resistant).In a preferred aspect, α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or thecorresponding α-glucan ether compounds produced by the etherification ofthe present α-glucan oligomers/polymers are resistant to multipleclasses of enzymes (combinations of cellulases, proteases, and/oramylases). Resistance to any particular enzyme will be defined as havingat least 50%, preferably at least 60, 70, 80, 90, 95 or 100% of thematerials remaining after treatment with the respective enzyme. The %remaining may be determined by measuring the supernatant after enzymetreatment using SEC-HPLC. The assay to measure enzyme resistance mayusing the following: A sample of the soluble material (e.g., 100 mg tois added to 10.0 mL water in a 20-mL scintillation vial and mixed usinga PTFE magnetic stir bar to create a 1 wt % solution. The reaction isrun at pH 7.0 at 20° C. After the fiber is complete dissolved, 1.0 mL (1wt % enzyme formulation) of cellulase (PURADEX® EGL), amylase (PURASTAR®ST L) or protease (SAVINASE® 16.0 L) is added and the solution is mixedfor 72 hrs at 20° C. The reaction mixture is heated to 70° C. for 10minutes to inactivate the added enzyme, and the resulting mixture iscooled to room temperature and centrifuged to remove any precipitate.The supernatant is analyzed by SEC-HPLC for recovered oligomers/polymersand compared to a control where no enzyme was added to the reactionmixture. Percent changes in area counts for the respectiveoligomers/polymers may be used to test the relative resistance of thematerials to the respective enzyme treatment. Percent changes in areacount for total≥DP3⁺ fibers will be used to assess the relative amountof materials remaining after treatment with a particular enzyme.Materials having a percent recovery of at least 50%, preferably at least60, 70, 80, 90, 95 or 100% will be considered resistant to therespective enzyme treatment (e.g., “cellulase resistant”, “proteaseresistant” and/or “amylase resistant”).

The terms “α-glucan ether compound”, “α-glucan ether composition”,“α-glucan ether”, and “α-glucan ether derivative” are usedinterchangeably herein. An α-glucan ether compound herein is the presentα-glucan polymer that has been etherified with one or more organicgroups such that the compound has a degree of substitution (DoS) withone or more organic groups of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Suchetherification occurs at one or more hydroxyl groups of at least 30% ofthe glucose monomeric units of the α-glucan polymer.

An α-glucan ether compound is termed an “ether” herein by virtue ofcomprising the substructure —C_(G)—O—C—, where “—C_(G)—” represents acarbon atom of a glucose monomeric unit of an α-glucan ether compound(where such carbon atom was bonded to a hydroxyl group [—OH] in theα-glucan polymer precursor of the ether), and where “—C—” is a carbonatom of the organic group. Thus, for example, with regard to a glucosemonomeric unit (G) involved in -1,3-G-1,3- within an ether herein, C_(G)atoms 2, 4 and/or 6 of the glucose (G) may independently be linked to anOH group or be in ether linkage to an organic group. Similarly, forexample, with regard to a glucose monomeric unit (G) involved in-1,3-G-1,6- within an ether herein, C_(G) atoms 2, 4 and/or 6 of theglucose (G) may independently be linked to an OH group or be in etherlinkage to an organic group. Also, for example, with regard to a glucosemonomeric unit (G) involved in -1,6-G-1,6- within an ether herein, C_(G)atoms 2, 3 and/or 4 of the glucose (G) may independently be linked to anOH group or be in ether linkage to an organic group. Similarly, forexample, with regard to a glucose monomeric unit (G) involved in-1,6-G-1,3- within an ether herein, C_(G) atoms 2, 3 and/or 4 of theglucose (G) may independently be linked to an OH group or be in etherlinkage to an organic group.

It would be understood that a “glucose” monomeric unit of an α-glucanether compound herein typically has one or more organic groups in etherlinkage. Thus, such a glucose monomeric unit can also be referred to asan etherized glucose monomeric unit.

The α-glucan ether compounds disclosed herein are synthetic, man-madecompounds. Likewise, compositions comprising the present α-glucanpolymer are synthetic, man-made compounds.

An “organic group” group as used herein can refer to a chain of one ormore carbons that (i) has the formula —C_(n)H_(2n+1) (i.e., an alkylgroup, which is completely saturated) or (ii) is mostly saturated buthas one or more hydrogens substituted with another atom or functionalgroup (i.e., a “substituted alkyl group”). Such substitution may be withone or more hydroxyl groups, oxygen atoms (thereby forming an aldehydeor ketone group), carboxyl groups, or other alkyl groups. Thus, asexamples, an organic group herein can be an alkyl group, carboxy alkylgroup, or hydroxy alkyl group. An organic group herein may thus beuncharged or anionic (an example of an anionic organic group is acarboxy alkyl group).

A “carboxy alkyl” group herein refers to a substituted alkyl group inwhich one or more hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group are substituted witha carboxyl group. A “hydroxy alkyl” group herein refers to a substitutedalkyl group in which one or more hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group aresubstituted with a hydroxyl group.

An “organic group” can alternatively refer to a “positively chargedorganic group”. A positively charged organic group as used herein refersto a chain of one or more carbons (“carbon chain”) that has one or morehydrogens substituted with another atom or functional group (i.e., a“substituted alkyl group”), where one or more of the substitutions iswith a positively charged group. Where a positively charged organicgroup has a substitution in addition to a substitution with a positivelycharged group, such additional substitution may be with one or morehydroxyl groups, oxygen atoms (thereby forming an aldehyde or ketonegroup), alkyl groups, and/or additional positively charged groups. Apositively charged organic group has a net positive charge since itcomprises one or more positively charged groups.

The terms “positively charged group”, “positively charged ionic group”and “cationic group” are used interchangeably herein. A positivelycharged group comprises a cation (a positively charged ion). Examples ofpositively charged groups include substituted ammonium groups,carbocation groups and acyl cation groups.

A composition that is “positively charged” is repelled from otherpositively charged substances, but attracted to negatively chargedsubstances.

The terms “substituted ammonium group”, “substituted ammonium ion” and“substituted ammonium cation” are used interchangeably herein. Asubstituted ammonium group herein comprises structure I:

R₂, R₃ and R₄ in structure I each independently represent a hydrogenatom or an alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl group. Thecarbon atom (C) in structure I is part of the chain of one or morecarbons (“carbon chain”) of the positively charged organic group. Thecarbon atom is either directly ether-linked to a glucose monomer of theα-glucan polymer, or is part of a chain of two or more carbon atomsether-linked to a glucose monomer of the α-glucan polymer/oligomer. Thecarbon atom in structure I can be —CH₂—, —CH— (where a H is substitutedwith another group such as a hydroxy group), or —C— (where both H's aresubstituted).

A substituted ammonium group can be a “primary ammonium group”,“secondary ammonium group”, “tertiary ammonium group”, or “quaternaryammonium” group, depending on the composition of R₂, R₃ and R₄ instructure I. A primary ammonium group herein refers to structure I inwhich each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a hydrogen atom (i.e., —C—NH₃ ⁺). Asecondary ammonium group herein refers to structure I in which each ofR₂ and R₃ is a hydrogen atom and R₄ is an alkyl, aryl, or cycloalkylgroup. A tertiary ammonium group herein refers to structure I in whichR₂ is a hydrogen atom and each of R₃ and R₄ is an alkyl, aryl, orcycloalkyl group. A quaternary ammonium group herein refers to structureI in which each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is an alkyl, aryl, or cycloalkyl group(i.e., none of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a hydrogen atom).

A quaternary ammonium poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan ether herein cancomprise a trialkyl ammonium group (where each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is analkyl group), for example. A trimethylammonium group is an example of atrialkyl ammonium group, where each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a methyl group.It would be understood that a fourth member (i.e., R₁) implied by“quaternary” in this nomenclature is the chain of one or more carbons ofthe positively charged organic group that is ether-linked to a glucosemonomer of the present α-glucan polymer/oligomer.

An example of a quaternary ammonium α-glucan ether compound istrimethylammonium hydroxypropyl α-glucan. The positively charged organicgroup of this ether compound can be represented as structure II:

where each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a methyl group. Structure II is anexample of a quaternary ammonium hydroxypropyl group.

A “halide” herein refers to a compound comprising one or more halogenatoms (e.g., fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine). A halide herein canrefer to a compound comprising one or more halide groups such asfluoride, chloride, bromide, or iodide. A halide group may serve as areactive group of an etherification agent.

When referring to the non-enzymatic etherification reaction, the terms“reaction”, “reaction composition”, and “etherification reaction” areused interchangeably herein and refer to a reaction comprising at leastα-glucan polymer and an etherification agent. These components aretypically mixed (e.g., resulting in a slurry) and/or dissolved in asolvent (organic and/or aqueous) comprising alkali hydroxide. A reactionis placed under suitable conditions (e.g., time, temperature) for theetherification agent to etherify one or more hydroxyl groups of theglucose units of α-glucan polymer/oligomer with an organic group,thereby yielding an α-glucan ether compound.

The term “alkaline conditions” herein refers to a solution or mixture pHof at least 10, 11 or 12. Alkaline conditions can be prepared by anymeans known in the art, such as by dissolving an alkali hydroxide in asolution or mixture.

The terms “etherification agent” and “alkylation agent” are usedinterchangeably herein. An etherification agent herein refers to anagent that can be used to etherify one or more hydroxyl groups of one ormore glucose units of the present α-glucan polymer/oligomer with anorganic group. An etherification agent thus comprises an organic group.

The term “degree of substitution” (DoS) as used herein refers to theaverage number of hydroxyl groups substituted in each monomeric unit(glucose) of the present α-glucan ether compound. Since there are atmost three hydroxyl groups in a glucose monomeric unit in an α-glucanpolymer/oligomer, the degree of substitution in an α-glucan ethercompound herein can be no higher than 3.

The term “molar substitution” (M.S.) as used herein refers to the molesof an organic group per monomeric unit of the present α-glucan ethercompound. Alternatively, M.S. can refer to the average moles ofetherification agent used to react with each monomeric unit in thepresent α-glucan oligomer/polymer (M.S. can thus describe the degree ofderivatization with an etherification agent). It is noted that the M.S.value for the present α-glucan may have no upper limit. For example,when an organic group containing a hydroxyl group (e.g., hydroxyethyl orhydroxypropyl) has been etherified to α-glucan, the hydroxyl group ofthe organic group may undergo further reaction, thereby coupling more ofthe organic group to the α-glucan oligomer/polymer.

The term “crosslink” herein refers to a chemical bond, atom, or group ofatoms that connects two adjacent atoms in one or more polymer molecules.It should be understood that, in a composition comprising crosslinkedα-glucan ether, crosslinks can be between at least two α-glucan ethermolecules (i.e., intermolecular crosslinks); there can also beintramolecular crosslinking. A “crosslinking agent” as used herein is anatom or compound that can create crosslinks.

An “aqueous composition” herein refers to a solution or mixture in whichthe solvent is at least about 20 wt % water, for example, and whichcomprises the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer and/or the presentα-glucan ether compound derivable from etherification of the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer. Examples of aqueous compositions herein areaqueous solutions and hydrocolloids.

The terms “hydrocolloid” and “hydrogel” are used interchangeably herein.A hydrocolloid refers to a colloid system in which water is thedispersion medium. A “colloid” herein refers to a substance that ismicroscopically dispersed throughout another substance. Therefore, ahydrocolloid herein can also refer to a dispersion, emulsion, mixture,or solution of α-glucan oligomer/polymer and/or one or more α-glucanether compounds in water or aqueous solution.

The term “aqueous solution” herein refers to a solution in which thesolvent is water. The present α-glucan oligomer/polymer and/or thepresent α-glucan ether compounds can be dispersed, mixed, and/ordissolved in an aqueous solution. An aqueous solution can serve as thedispersion medium of a hydrocolloid herein.

The terms “dispersant” and “dispersion agent” are used interchangeablyherein to refer to a material that promotes the formation andstabilization of a dispersion of one substance in another. A“dispersion” herein refers to an aqueous composition comprising one ormore particles (e.g., any ingredient of a personal care product,pharmaceutical product, food product, household product, or industrialproduct disclosed herein) that are scattered, or uniformly scattered,throughout the aqueous composition. It is believed that the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer and/or the present α-glucan ether compoundscan act as dispersants in aqueous compositions disclosed herein.

The term “viscosity” as used herein refers to the measure of the extentto which a fluid or an aqueous composition such as a hydrocolloidresists a force tending to cause it to flow. Various units of viscositythat can be used herein include centipoise (cPs) and Pascal-second(Pas). A centipoise is one one-hundredth of a poise; one poise is equalto 0.100 kg·m⁻¹·s⁻¹. Thus, the terms “viscosity modifier” and“viscosity-modifying agent” as used herein refer to anything that canalter/modify the viscosity of a fluid or aqueous composition.

The term “shear thinning behavior” as used herein refers to a decreasein the viscosity of the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution as shear rateincreases. The term “shear thickening behavior” as used herein refers toan increase in the viscosity of the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution asshear rate increases. “Shear rate” herein refers to the rate at which aprogressive shearing deformation is applied to the hydrocolloid oraqueous solution. A shearing deformation can be applied rotationally.

The term “contacting” as used herein with respect to methods of alteringthe viscosity of an aqueous composition refers to any action thatresults in bringing together an aqueous composition with the presentα-glucan polymer composition and/or α-glucan ether compound.“Contacting” may also be used herein with respect to treating a fabric,textile, yarn or fiber with the present α-glucan polymer and/or α-glucanether compound to provide a surface substantive effect. Contacting canbe performed by any means known in the art, such as dissolving, mixing,shaking, homogenization, spraying, treating, immersing, flushing,pouring on or in, combining, painting, coating, applying, affixing toand otherwise communicating an effective amount of the α-glucan polymercomposition and/or α-glucan ether compound to an aqueous compositionand/or directly to a fabric, fiber, yarn or textile to achieve thedesired effect.

The terms “fabric”, “textile”, and “cloth” are used interchangeablyherein to refer to a woven or non-woven material having a network ofnatural and/or artificial fibers. Such fibers can be thread or yarn, forexample.

A “fabric care composition” herein is any composition suitable fortreating fabric in some manner. Examples of such a composition includenon-laundering fiber treatments (for desizing, scouring, mercerizing,bleaching, coloration, dying, printing, bio-polishing, anti-microbialtreatments, anti-wrinkle treatments, stain resistance treatments, etc.),laundry care compositions (e.g., laundry care detergents), and fabricsofteners.

The terms “heavy duty detergent” and “all-purpose detergent” are usedinterchangeably herein to refer to a detergent useful for regularwashing of white and colored textiles at any temperature. The terms “lowduty detergent” or “fine fabric detergent” are used interchangeablyherein to refer to a detergent useful for the care of delicate fabricssuch as viscose, wool, silk, microfiber or other fabric requiringspecial care. “Special care” can include conditions of using excesswater, low agitation, and/or no bleach, for example.

The term “adsorption” herein refers to the adhesion of a compound (e.g.,the present α-glucan polymer/oligomer and/or the present α-glucan ethercompounds derived from the present α-glucan polymer/oligomers) to thesurface of a material.

The terms “cellulase” and “cellulase enzyme” are used interchangeablyherein to refer to an enzyme that hydrolyzes β-1,4-D-glucosidic linkagesin cellulose, thereby partially or completely degrading cellulose.Cellulase can alternatively be referred to as “β-1,4-glucanase”, forexample, and can have endocellulase activity (EC 3.2.1.4), exocellulaseactivity (EC 3.2.1.91), or cellobiase activity (EC 3.2.1.21). Acellulase in certain embodiments herein can also hydrolyzeβ-1,4-D-glucosidic linkages in cellulose ether derivatives such ascarboxymethyl cellulose. “Cellulose” refers to an insolublepolysaccharide having a linear chain of β-1,4-linked D-glucose monomericunits.

As used herein, the term “fabric hand” or “handle” is meant people'stactile sensory response towards fabric which may be physical,physiological, psychological, social or any combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the fabric hand may be measured using a PhabrOmeter® Systemfor measuring relative hand value (available from Nu Cybertek, Inc.Davis, Calif.) (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists(AATCC test method “202-2012, Relative Hand Value of Textiles:Instrumental Method”).

As used herein, “pharmaceutically-acceptable” means that the compoundsor compositions in question are suitable for use in contact with thetissues of humans and other animals without undue toxicity,incompatibility, instability, irritation, allergic response, and thelike, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

As used herein, the term “oligosaccharide” refers to polymers typicallycontaining between 3 and about 30 monosaccharide units linked byα-glycosidic bonds.

As used herein the term “polysaccharide” refers to polymers typicallycontaining greater than 30 monosaccharide units linked by α-glycosidicbonds.

As used herein, “personal care products” means products used in thecosmetic treatment hair, skin, scalp, and teeth, including, but notlimited to shampoos, body lotions, shower gels, topical moisturizers,toothpaste, tooth gels, mouthwashes, mouthrinses, anti-plaque rinses,and/or other topical treatments. In some particularly preferredembodiments, these products are utilized on humans, while in otherembodiments, these products find cosmetic use with non-human animals(e.g., in certain veterinary applications).

As used herein, an “isolated nucleic acid molecule”, “isolatedpolynucleotide”, and “isolated nucleic acid fragment” will be usedinterchangeably and refer to a polymer of RNA or DNA that is single- ordouble-stranded, optionally containing synthetic, non-natural or alterednucleotide bases. An isolated nucleic acid molecule in the form of apolymer of DNA may be comprised of one or more segments of cDNA, genomicDNA or synthetic DNA.

The term “amino acid” refers to the basic chemical structural unit of aprotein or polypeptide. The following abbreviations are used herein toidentify specific amino acids:

Three-Letter One-Letter Amino Acid Abbreviation Abbreviation Alanine AlaA Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys CGlutamine Gln Q Glutamic acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His HIsoleucine Ile I Leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met MPhenylalanine Phe F Proline Pro P Serine Ser S Threonine Thr TTryptophan Trp W Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V Any amino acid or Xaa X asdefined herein

For example, it is well known in the art that alterations in a genewhich result in the production of a chemically equivalent amino acid ata given site, but do not affect the functional properties of the encodedprotein are common. For the purposes of the present disclosuresubstitutions are defined as exchanges within one of the following fivegroups:

-   -   1. Small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues: Ala,        Ser, Thr (Pro, Gly);    -   2. Polar, negatively charged residues and their amides: Asp,        Asn, Glu, Gln;    -   3. Polar, positively charged residues: His, Arg, Lys;    -   4. Large aliphatic, nonpolar residues: Met, Leu, Ile, Val (Cys);        and    -   5. Large aromatic residues: Phe, Tyr, and Trp.        Thus, a codon for the amino acid alanine, a hydrophobic amino        acid, may be substituted by a codon encoding another less        hydrophobic residue (such as glycine) or a more hydrophobic        residue (such as valine, leucine, or isoleucine). Similarly,        changes which result in substitution of one negatively charged        residue for another (such as aspartic acid for glutamic acid) or        one positively charged residue for another (such as lysine for        arginine) can also be expected to produce a functionally        equivalent product. In many cases, nucleotide changes which        result in alteration of the N-terminal and C-terminal portions        of the protein molecule would also not be expected to alter the        activity of the protein. Each of the proposed modifications is        well within the routine skill in the art, as is determination of        retention of biological activity of the encoded products.

As used herein, the term “codon optimized”, as it refers to genes orcoding regions of nucleic acid molecules for transformation of varioushosts, refers to the alteration of codons in the gene or coding regionsof the nucleic acid molecules to reflect the typical codon usage of thehost organism without altering the polypeptide for which the DNA codes.

As used herein, “synthetic genes” can be assembled from oligonucleotidebuilding blocks that are chemically synthesized using procedures knownto those skilled in the art. These building blocks are ligated andannealed to form gene segments that are then enzymatically assembled toconstruct the entire gene. “Chemically synthesized”, as pertaining to aDNA sequence, means that the component nucleotides were assembled invitro. Manual chemical synthesis of DNA may be accomplished usingwell-established procedures, or automated chemical synthesis can beperformed using one of a number of commercially available machines.Accordingly, the genes can be tailored for optimal gene expression basedon optimization of nucleotide sequences to reflect the codon bias of thehost cell. The skilled artisan appreciates the likelihood of successfulgene expression if codon usage is biased towards those codons favored bythe host. Determination of preferred codons can be based on a survey ofgenes derived from the host cell where sequence information isavailable.

As used herein, “gene” refers to a nucleic acid molecule that expressesa specific protein, including regulatory sequences preceding (5′non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the codingsequence. “Native gene” refers to a gene as found in nature with its ownregulatory sequences. “Chimeric gene” refers to any gene that is not anative gene, comprising regulatory and coding sequences that are notfound together in nature. Accordingly, a chimeric gene may compriseregulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived fromdifferent sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derivedfrom the same source, but arranged in a manner different from that foundin nature. “Endogenous gene” refers to a native gene in its naturallocation in the genome of an organism. A “foreign” gene refers to a genenot normally found in the host organism, but that is introduced into thehost organism by gene transfer. Foreign genes can comprise native genesinserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric genes. A “transgene” isa gene that has been introduced into the genome by a transformationprocedure.

As used herein, “coding sequence” refers to a DNA sequence that codesfor a specific amino acid sequence. “Suitable regulatory sequences”refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-codingsequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a codingsequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing orstability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatorysequences may include promoters, translation leader sequences, RNAprocessing site, effector binding sites, and stem-loop structures.

As used herein, the term “operably linked” refers to the association ofnucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid molecule so that thefunction of one is affected by the other. For example, a promoter isoperably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of affectingthe expression of that coding sequence, i.e., the coding sequence isunder the transcriptional control of the promoter. Coding sequences canbe operably linked to regulatory sequences in sense or antisenseorientation.

As used herein, the term “expression” refers to the transcription andstable accumulation of sense (mRNA) or antisense RNA derived from thenucleic acid molecule. Expression may also refer to translation of mRNAinto a polypeptide.

As used herein, “transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleicacid molecule into the genome of a host organism, resulting ingenetically stable inheritance. In the present disclosure, the hostcell's genome includes chromosomal and extrachromosomal (e.g., plasmid)genes. Host organisms containing the transformed nucleic acid moleculesare referred to as “transgenic”, “recombinant” or “transformed”organisms.

As used herein, the term “sequence analysis software” refers to anycomputer algorithm or software program that is useful for the analysisof nucleotide or amino acid sequences. “Sequence analysis software” maybe commercially available or independently developed. Typical sequenceanalysis software will include, but is not limited to, the GCG suite ofprograms (Wisconsin Package Version 9.0, Accelrys Software Corp., SanDiego, Calif.), BLASTP, BLASTN, BLASTX (Altschul et al., J. Mol. Biol.215:403-410 (1990)), and DNASTAR (DNASTAR, Inc. 1228 S. Park St.Madison, Wis. 53715 USA), CLUSTALW (for example, version 1.83; Thompsonet al., Nucleic Acids Research, 22(22):4673-4680 (1994)), and the FASTAprogram incorporating the Smith-Waterman algorithm (W. R. Pearson,Comput. Methods Genome Res., [Proc. Int. Symp.] (1994), Meeting Date1992, 111-20. Editor(s): Suhai, Sandor. Publisher: Plenum, New York,N.Y.), Vector NTI (Informax, Bethesda, Md.) and Sequencher v. 4.05.Within the context of this application it will be understood that wheresequence analysis software is used for analysis, that the results of theanalysis will be based on the “default values” of the programreferenced, unless otherwise specified. As used herein “default values”will mean any set of values or parameters set by the softwaremanufacturer that originally load with the software when firstinitialized.

Structural and Functional Properties of the Soluble α-GlucanOligomer/Polymer Composition

The present soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition was preparedfrom sucrose (e.g., cane sugar) using one or more enzymatic processingaids that have essentially the same amino acid sequences as found innature (or active truncations thereof) from microorganisms which havinga long history of exposure to humans (microorganisms naturally found inthe oral cavity or found in foods such a beer, fermented soybeans,etc.). The soluble oligomers/polymers have low viscosity (enabling usein a broad range of applications),

The present soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition ischaracterized by the following combination of parameters:

a. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;

b. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;

c. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;

d. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000 Daltons;

e. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12 wt % inwater 20° C.;

h. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.; and

i. a polydispersity index of less than 5.

In another embodiment, the present soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition is characterized by

a. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;

b. 55-65% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages; and

c. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages.

In a further embodiment, the present soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition is characterized by

a. 27-31 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;

b. 57-61% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages; and

c. 7-11% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages.

In another embodiment, in addition to the above mentioned glycosidiclinkage content embodiments, the present soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition further comprises less than 4%, preferablyless than 2%, more preferably less than 1%, and most preferably lessthan 0.5% α-(1,4) glycosidic linkages.

In another embodiment, in addition the above mentioned glycosidiclinkage content embodiments, the present α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition comprises a weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) of lessthan 5000 Daltons, preferably less than 2500 Daltons, more preferablybetween 500 and 2500 Daltons, and most preferably about 500 to about2000 Daltons.

In another embodiment, in addition to any of the above features, thepresent α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprises a viscosity ofless than 250 centipoise (cP) (0.25 Pascal second (Pas); preferably lessthan 10 centipoise (cP) (0.01 Pascal second (Pas)), preferably less than7 cP (0.007 Pa·s), more preferably less than 5 cP (0.005 Pa·s), morepreferably less than 4 cP (0.004 Pa·s), and most preferably less than 3cP (0.003 Pa·s) at 12 wt % in water at 20° C.

In addition to any of the above embodiments, the present solubleα-glucan oligomer/polymer composition has a solubility of at least 20%(w/w), preferably at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, or 70% in pH 7 water at25° C.

In another embodiment, the present soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition comprises a number average molecular weight (Mn) between 400and 2500 g/mol, preferably 1000 to 2000 g/mol.

Compositions Comprising α-Glucan Oligomer/Polymers and/or α-GlucanEthers

Depending upon the desired application, the present α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition and/or derivatives thereof (such as thepresent α-glucan ethers) may be formulated (e.g., blended, mixed,incorporated into, etc.) with one or more other materials and/or activeingredients suitable for use in laundry care, textile/fabric care,and/or personal care products. As such, the present disclosure includescompositions comprising the present glucan oligomer/polymer composition.The term “compositions comprising the present glucan oligomer/polymercomposition” in this context may include, for example, aqueousformulations comprising the present glucan oligomer/polymer, rheologymodifying compositions, fabric treatment/care compositions, laundry careformulations/compositions, fabric softeners, personal care compositions(hair, skin and oral care), and the like.

The present glucan oligomer/polymer composition may be directed as aningredient in a desired product or may be blended with one or moreadditional suitable ingredients (ingredients suitable for fabric careapplications, laundry care applications, and/or personal careapplications). As such, the present disclosure comprises a fabric care,laundry care, or personal care composition comprising the presentsoluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition, the present α-glucanethers, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the fabric care,laundry care or personal care composition comprises 0.01 to 99 wt % (drysolids basis), preferably 0.1 to 90 wt %, more preferably 1 to 90%, andmost preferably 5 to 80 wt % of the glucan oligomer/polymer compositionand/or the present α-glucan ether compounds.

In one embodiment, a fabric care composition is provided comprising:

-   -   a. an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5; and    -   b. at least one additional fabric care ingredient.

In another embodiment, a laundry care composition is providedcomprising:

-   -   a) an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5; and    -   b) at least one additional laundry care ingredient.

In another embodiment, an α-glucan ether derived from the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer composition is provided comprising:

-   -   a. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;    -   b. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;    -   c. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;    -   d. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000 Daltons;    -   e. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12 wt %        in water 20° C.;    -   f. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.; and    -   g. a polydispersity index of less than 5; wherein the        composition has a degree of substitution (DoS) with at least one        organic group of about 0.05 to about 3.0.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the glucanether composition has a degree of substitution (DoS) with at least oneorganic group of about 0.05 to about 3.0.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the glucanether composition comprises at least one organic group is selected fromthe group consisting of carboxy alkyl group, hydroxy alkyl group, andalkyl group.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the at leastone organic group is selected from the group consisting ofcarboxymethyl, hydroxypropyl, dihydroxypropyl, hydroxyethyl, methyl, andethyl group.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the at leastone organic group is a positively charged organic group.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the glucanether is a quaternary ammonium glucan ether.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the glucanether composition is a trimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, an organicgroup may be an alkyl group such as a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl group, for example.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the organicgroup may be a substituted alkyl group in which there is a substitutionon one or more carbons of the alkyl group. The substitution(s) may beone or more hydroxyl, aldehyde, ketone, and/or carboxyl groups. Forexample, a substituted alkyl group may be a hydroxy alkyl group,dihydroxy alkyl group, or carboxy alkyl group.

Examples of suitable hydroxy alkyl groups are hydroxymethyl (—CH₂OH),hydroxyethyl (e.g., —CH₂CH₂OH, —CH(OH)CH₃), hydroxypropyl (e.g.,—CH₂CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂CH(OH)CH₃, —CH(OH)CH₂CH₃), hydroxybutyl andhydroxypentyl groups. Other examples include dihydroxy alkyl groups(diols) such as dihydroxymethyl, dihydroxyethyl (e.g., —CH(OH)CH₂OH),dihydroxypropyl (e.g., —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH, —CH(OH)CH(OH)CH₃),dihydroxybutyl and dihydroxypentyl groups.

Examples of suitable carboxy alkyl groups are carboxymethyl (—CH₂COOH),carboxyethyl (e.g., —CH₂CH₂COOH, —CH(COOH)CH₃), carboxypropyl (e.g.,—CH₂CH₂CH₂COOH, —CH₂CH(COOH)CH₃, —CH(COOH)CH₂CH₃), carboxybutyl andcarboxypentyl groups.

Alternatively still, one or more carbons of an alkyl group can have asubstitution(s) with another alkyl group. Examples of such substituentalkyl groups are methyl, ethyl and propyl groups. To illustrate, anorganic group can be —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃ or —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₃, for example,which are both propyl groups having a methyl substitution.

As should be clear from the above examples of various substituted alkylgroups, a substitution (e.g., hydroxy or carboxy group) on an alkylgroup in certain embodiments may be bonded to the terminal carbon atomof the alkyl group, where the terminal carbon group is opposite theterminus that is in ether linkage to a glucose monomeric unit in anα-glucan ether compound. An example of this terminal substitution is thehydroxypropyl group —CH₂CH₂CH₂OH. Alternatively, a substitution may beon an internal carbon atom of an alkyl group. An example on an internalsubstitution is the hydroxypropyl group —CH₂CH(OH)CH₃. An alkyl groupcan have one or more substitutions, which may be the same (e.g., twohydroxyl groups [dihydroxy]) or different (e.g., a hydroxyl group and acarboxyl group).

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the α-glucanether compounds disclosed herein may contain one type of organic group.Examples of such compounds contain a carboxy alkyl group as the organicgroup (carboxyalkyl α-glucan, generically speaking). A specificnon-limiting example of such a compound is carboxymethyl α-glucan.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, α-glucan ethercompounds disclosed herein can contain two or more different types oforganic groups. Examples of such compounds contain (i) two differentalkyl groups as organic groups, (ii) an alkyl group and a hydroxy alkylgroup as organic groups (alkyl hydroxyalkyl α-glucan, genericallyspeaking), (iii) an alkyl group and a carboxy alkyl group as organicgroups (alkyl carboxyalkyl α-glucan, generically speaking), (iv) ahydroxy alkyl group and a carboxy alkyl group as organic groups(hydroxyalkyl carboxyalkyl α-glucan, generically speaking), (v) twodifferent hydroxy alkyl groups as organic groups, or (vi) two differentcarboxy alkyl groups as organic groups. Specific non-limiting examplesof such compounds include ethyl hydroxyethyl α-glucan, hydroxyalkylmethyl α-glucan, carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl α-glucan, and carboxymethylhydroxypropyl α-glucan.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the organicgroup herein can alternatively be a positively charged organic group. Asdefined above, a positively charged organic group comprises a chain ofone or more carbons having one or more hydrogens substituted withanother atom or functional group, where one or more of the substitutionsis with a positively charged group.

A positively charged group may be a substituted ammonium group, forexample. Examples of substituted ammonium groups are primary, secondary,tertiary and quaternary ammonium groups. Structure I depicts a primary,secondary, tertiary or quaternary ammonium group, depending on thecomposition of R₂, R₃ and R₄ in structure I. Each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ instructure I independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, aryl,cycloalkyl, aralkyl, or alkaryl group. Alternatively, each of R₂, R₃ andR₄ in can independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group. Analkyl group can be a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl group, for example. Where two or three ofR₂, R₃ and R₄ are an alkyl group, they can be the same or differentalkyl groups.

A “primary ammonium α-glucan ether compound” herein can comprise apositively charged organic group having an ammonium group. In thisexample, the positively charged organic group comprises structure I inwhich each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a hydrogen atom. A non-limiting exampleof such a positively charged organic group is represented by structureII when each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is a hydrogen atom. An example of aprimary ammonium α-glucan ether compound can be represented in shorthandas ammonium α-glucan ether. It would be understood that a first member(i.e., R₁) implied by “primary” in the above nomenclature is the chainof one or more carbons of the positively charged organic group that isether-linked to a glucose monomer of α-glucan.

A “secondary ammonium α-glucan ether compound” herein can comprise apositively charged organic group having a monoalkylammonium group, forexample. In this example, the positively charged organic group comprisesstructure I in which each of R₂ and R₃ is a hydrogen atom and R₄ is analkyl group. A non-limiting example of such a positively charged organicgroup is represented by structure II when each of R₂ and R₃ is ahydrogen atom and R₄ is an alkyl group. An example of a secondaryammonium α-glucan ether compound can be represented in shorthand hereinas monoalkylammonium α-glucan ether (e.g., monomethyl-, monoethyl-,monopropyl-, monobutyl-, monopentyl-, monohexyl-, monoheptyl-,monooctyl-, monononyl- or monodecyl-ammonium α-glucan ether). It wouldbe understood that a second member (i.e., R₁) implied by “secondary” inthe above nomenclature is the chain of one or more carbons of thepositively charged organic group that is ether-linked to a glucosemonomer of α-glucan.

A “tertiary ammonium α-glucan ether compound” herein can comprise apositively charged organic group having a dialkylammonium group, forexample. In this example, the positively charged organic group comprisesstructure I in which R₂ is a hydrogen atom and each of R₃ and R₄ is analkyl group. A non-limiting example of such a positively charged organicgroup is represented by structure II when R₂ is a hydrogen atom and eachof R₃ and R₄ is an alkyl group. An example of a tertiary ammoniumα-glucan ether compound can be represented in shorthand asdialkylammonium α-glucan ether (e.g., dimethyl-, diethyl-, dipropyl-,dibutyl-, dipentyl-, dihexyl-, diheptyl-, dioctyl-, dinonyl- ordidecyl-ammonium α-glucan ether). It would be understood that a thirdmember (i.e., R₁) implied by “tertiary” in the above nomenclature is thechain of one or more carbons of the positively charged organic groupthat is ether-linked to a glucose monomer of α-glucan.

A “quaternary ammonium α-glucan ether compound” herein can comprise apositively charged organic group having a trialkylammonium group, forexample. In this example, the positively charged organic group comprisesstructure I in which each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is an alkyl group. Anon-limiting example of such a positively charged organic group isrepresented by structure II when each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ is an alkylgroup. An example of a quaternary ammonium α-glucan ether compound canbe represented in shorthand as trialkylammonium α-glucan ether (e.g.,trimethyl-, triethyl-, tripropyl-, tributyl-, tripentyl-, trihexyl-,triheptyl-, trioctyl-, trinonyl- or tridecyl-ammonium α-glucan ether).It would be understood that a fourth member (i.e., R₁) implied by“quaternary” in the above nomenclature is the chain of one or morecarbons of the positively charged organic group that is ether-linked toa glucose monomer of α-glucan.

Additional non-limiting examples of substituted ammonium groups that canserve as a positively charged group herein are represented in structureI when each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ independently represent a hydrogen atom; analkyl group such as a methyl, ethyl, or propyl group; an aryl group suchas a phenyl or naphthyl group; an aralkyl group such as a benzyl group;an alkaryl group; or a cycloalkyl group. Each of R₂, R₃ and R₄ mayfurther comprise an amino group or a hydroxyl group, for example.

The nitrogen atom in a substituted ammonium group represented bystructure I is bonded to a chain of one or more carbons as comprised ina positively charged organic group. This chain of one or more carbons(“carbon chain”) is ether-linked to a glucose monomer of α-glucan, andmay have one or more substitutions in addition to the substitution withthe nitrogen atom of the substituted ammonium group. There can be 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbons, for example, in a carbon chain. Toillustrate, the carbon chain of structure II is 3 carbon atoms inlength.

Examples of a carbon chain of a positively charged organic group that donot have a substitution in addition to the substitution with apositively charged group include —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—,—CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂— and —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—. In each of these examples, thefirst carbon atom of the chain is ether-linked to a glucose monomer ofα-glucan, and the last carbon atom of the chain is linked to apositively charged group. Where the positively charged group is asubstituted ammonium group, the last carbon atom of the chain in each ofthese examples is represented by the C in structure I.

Where a carbon chain of a positively charged organic group has asubstitution in addition to a substitution with a positively chargedgroup, such additional substitution may be with one or more hydroxylgroups, oxygen atoms (thereby forming an aldehyde or ketone group),alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl), and/or additionalpositively charged groups. A positively charged group is typicallybonded to the terminal carbon atom of the carbon chain.

Examples of a carbon chain of a positively charged organic group havingone or more substitutions with a hydroxyl group include hydroxyalkyl(e.g., hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxybutyl, hydroxypentyl) groupsand dihydroxyalkyl (e.g., dihydroxyethyl, dihydroxypropyl,dihydroxybutyl, dihydroxypentyl) groups. Examples of hydroxyalkyl anddihydroxyalkyl (diol) carbon chains include —CH(OH)—, —CH(OH)CH₂—,—C(OH)₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂—, —CH(OH)CH₂CH₂—, —CH(OH)CH(OH)CH₂—,—CH₂CH₂CH(OH)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂CH₂—, —CH(OH)CH₂CH₂CH₂—,—CH₂CH(OH)CH(OH)CH₂—, —CH(OH)CH(OH)CH₂CH₂— and —CH(OH)CH₂CH(OH)CH₂—. Ineach of these examples, the first carbon atom of the chain isether-linked to a glucose monomer of the present α-glucan, and the lastcarbon atom of the chain is linked to a positively charged group. Wherethe positively charged group is a substituted ammonium group, the lastcarbon atom of the chain in each of these examples is represented by theC in structure I.

Examples of a carbon chain of a positively charged organic group havingone or more substitutions with an alkyl group include chains with one ormore substituent methyl, ethyl and/or propyl groups. Examples ofmethylalkyl groups include —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂— and —CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂—, whichare both propyl groups having a methyl substitution. In each of theseexamples, the first carbon atom of the chain is ether-linked to aglucose monomer of the present α-glucan, and the last carbon atom of thechain is linked to a positively charged group. Where the positivelycharged group is a substituted ammonium group, the last carbon atom ofthe chain in each of these examples is represented by the C in structureI.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the α-glucanether compounds herein may contain one type of positively chargedorganic group. For example, one or more positively charged organicgroups ether-linked to the glucose monomer of α-glucan may betrimethylammonium hydroxypropyl groups (structure II). Alternatively,α-glucan ether compounds disclosed herein can contain two or moredifferent types of positively charged organic groups.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, α-glucan ethercompounds herein can comprise at least one nonionic organic group and atleast one anionic group, for example. As another example, α-glucan ethercompounds herein can comprise at least one nonionic organic group and atleast one positively charged organic group.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, α-glucan ethercompounds may be derived from any of the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers disclosed herein. For example, the α-glucan ethercompound can be produced by ether-derivatizing the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers using an etherification reaction as disclosed herein.

In certain embodiments, a composition comprising an α-glucan ethercompound can be a hydrocolloid or aqueous solution having a viscosity ofat least about 10 cPs. Alternatively, such a hydrocolloid or aqueoussolution has a viscosity of at least about 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000,1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, 2250, 2500, 3000, 3500, or 4000 cPs (or anyinteger between 100 and 4000 cPs), for example.

Viscosity can be measured with the hydrocolloid or aqueous solution atany temperature between about 3° C. to about 110° C. (or any integerbetween 3 and 110° C.). Alternatively, viscosity can be measured at atemperature between about 4° C. to 30° C., or about 20° C. to 25° C.Viscosity can be measured at atmospheric pressure (about 760 torr) orany other higher or lower pressure.

The viscosity of a hydrocolloid or aqueous solution disclosed herein canbe measured using a viscometer or rheometer, or using any other meansknown in the art. It would be understood by those skilled in the artthat a viscometer or rheometer can be used to measure the viscosity ofthose hydrocolloids and aqueous solutions that exhibit shear thinningbehavior or shear thickening behavior (i.e., liquids with viscositiesthat vary with flow conditions). The viscosity of such embodiments canbe measured at a rotational shear rate of about 10 to 1000 rpm(revolutions per minute) (or any integer between 10 and 1000 rpm), forexample. Alternatively, viscosity can be measured at a rotational shearrate of about 10, 60, 150, 250, or 600 rpm.

The pH of a hydrocolloid or aqueous solution disclosed herein can bebetween about 2.0 to about 12.0. Alternatively, pH can be about 2.0,3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 10.0, 11.0, 12.0; or between 5.0 toabout 12.0; or between about 4.0 and 8.0; or between about 5.0 and 8.0.

An aqueous composition herein such as a hydrocolloid or aqueous solutioncan comprise a solvent having at least about 20 wt % water. In otherembodiments, a solvent is at least about 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or100 wt % water (or any integer value between 20 and 100 wt %), forexample.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the α-glucanether compound disclosed herein can be present in a hydrocolloid oraqueous solution at a weight percentage (wt %) of at least about 0.01%,0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1.0%, 1.2%,1.4%, 1.6%, 1.8%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, 3.5%, 4.0%, 4.5%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%,9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%,23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, or 30%, for example.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, thehydrocolloid or aqueous solution herein can comprise other components inaddition to one or more α-glucan ether compounds. For example, thehydrocolloid or aqueous solution can comprise one or more salts such asa sodium salt (e.g., NaCl, Na₂SO₄). Other non-limiting examples of saltsinclude those having (i) an aluminum, ammonium, barium, calcium,chromium (II or III), copper (I or II), iron (II or III), hydrogen, lead(II), lithium, magnesium, manganese (II or III), mercury (I or II),potassium, silver, sodium strontium, tin (II or IV), or zinc cation, and(ii) an acetate, borate, bromate, bromide, carbonate, chlorate,chloride, chlorite, chromate, cyanamide, cyanide, dichromate, dihydrogenphosphate, ferricyanide, ferrocyanide, fluoride, hydrogen carbonate,hydrogen phosphate, hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogensulfite, hydride, hydroxide, hypochlorite, iodate, iodide, nitrate,nitride, nitrite, oxalate, oxide, perchlorate, permanganate, peroxide,phosphate, phosphide, phosphite, silicate, stannate, stannite, sulfate,sulfide, sulfite, tartrate, or thiocyanate anion. Thus, any salt havinga cation from (i) above and an anion from (ii) above can be in ahydrocolloid or aqueous solution, for example. A salt can be present ina hydrocolloid or aqueous solution at a wt % of about 0.01% to about10.00% (or any hundredth increment between 0.01% and 10.00%), forexample.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, those skilledin the art would understand that in certain embodiments, the α-glucanether compound can be in an anionic form in a hydrocolloid or aqueoussolution. Examples may include those α-glucan ether compounds having anorganic group comprising an alkyl group substituted with a carboxylgroup. Carboxyl (COOH) groups in a carboxyalkyl α-glucan ether compoundcan convert to carboxylate (COO⁻) groups in aqueous conditions. Suchanionic groups can interact with salt cations such as any of thoselisted above in (i) (e.g., potassium, sodium, or lithium cation). Thus,an α-glucan ether compound can be a sodium carboxyalkyl α-glucan ether(e.g., sodium carboxymethyl α-glucan), potassium carboxyalkyl α-glucanether (e.g., potassium carboxymethyl α-glucan), or lithium carboxyalkylα-glucan ether (e.g., lithium carboxymethyl α-glucan), for example.

In alternative embodiments to any of the above embodiments, acomposition comprising the α-glucan ether compound herein can benon-aqueous (e.g., a dry composition). Examples of such embodimentsinclude powders, granules, microcapsules, flakes, or any other form ofparticulate matter. Other examples include larger compositions such aspellets, bars, kernels, beads, tablets, sticks, or other agglomerates. Anon-aqueous or dry composition herein typically has less than 3, 2, 1,0.5, or 0.1 wt % water comprised therein.

In certain embodiments the α-glucan ether compound may be crosslinkedusing any means known in the art. Such crosslinks may be boratecrosslinks, where the borate is from any boron-containing compound(e.g., boric acid, diborates, tetraborates, pentaborates, polymericcompounds such as Polybor®, polymeric compounds of boric acid, alkaliborates), for example. Alternatively, crosslinks can be provided withpolyvalent metals such as titanium or zirconium. Titanium crosslinks maybe provided, for example, using titanium IV-containing compounds such astitanium ammonium lactate, titanium triethanolamine, titaniumacetylacetonate, and polyhydroxy complexes of titanium. Zirconiumcrosslinks can be provided using zirconium IV-containing compounds suchas zirconium lactate, zirconium carbonate, zirconium acetylacetonate,zirconium triethanolamine, zirconium diisopropylamine lactate andpolyhydroxy complexes of zirconium, for example. Alternatively still,crosslinks can be provided with any crosslinking agent described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,462,917, 4,464,270, 4,477,360 and 4,799,550, which are allincorporated herein by reference. A crosslinking agent (e.g., borate)may be present in an aqueous composition herein at a concentration ofabout 0.2% to 20 wt %, or about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, or 20 wt %, for example.

It is believed that an α-glucan ether compound disclosed herein that iscrosslinked typically has a higher viscosity in an aqueous solutioncompared to its non-crosslinked counterpart. In addition, it is believedthat a crosslinked α-glucan ether compound can have increased shearthickening behavior compared to its non-crosslinked counterpart.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, a compositionherein (fabric care, laundry care, personal care, etc.) may optionallycontain one or more active enzymes. Non-limiting examples of suitableenzymes include proteases, cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases,lipolytic enzymes (e.g., metallolipolytic enzymes), xylanases, lipases,phospholipases, esterases (e.g., arylesterase, polyesterase),perhydrolases, cutinases, pectinases, pectate lyases, mannanases,keratinases, reductases, oxidases (e.g., choline oxidase),phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases,pentosanases, malanases, beta-glucanases, arabinosidases,hyaluronidases, chondroitinases, laccases, metalloproteinases,amadoriases, glucoamylases, arabinofuranosidases, phytases, isomerases,transferases and amylases. If an enzyme(s) is included, it may becomprised in a composition herein at about 0.0001-0.1 wt % (e.g.,0.01-0.03 wt %) active enzyme (e.g., calculated as pure enzyme protein),for example.

A cellulase herein can have endocellulase activity (EC 3.2.1.4),exocellulase activity (EC 3.2.1.91), or cellobiase activity (EC3.2.1.21). A cellulase herein is an “active cellulase” having activityunder suitable conditions for maintaining cellulase activity; it iswithin the skill of the art to determine such suitable conditions.Besides being able to degrade cellulose, a cellulase in certainembodiments can also degrade cellulose ether derivatives such ascarboxymethyl cellulose. Examples of cellulose ether derivatives whichare expected to not be stable to cellulase are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 7,012,053, 7,056,880, 6,579,840, 7,534,759 and 7,576,048.

A cellulase herein may be derived from any microbial source, such as abacteria or fungus. Chemically-modified cellulases or protein-engineeredmutant cellulases are included. Suitable cellulases include, but are notlimited to, cellulases from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas,Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia and Acremonium.As other examples, a cellulase may be derived from Humicola insolens,Myceliophthora thermophila or Fusarium oxysporum; these and othercellulases are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,435,307, 5,648,263,5,691,178, 5,776,757 and 7,604,974, which are all incorporated herein byreference. Exemplary Trichoderma reesei cellulases are disclosed in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,689,297, 5,814,501, 5,324,649, and International PatentAppl. Publ. Nos. WO92/06221 and WO92/06165, all of which areincorporated herein by reference. Exemplary Bacillus cellulases aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,612, which is incorporated herein byreference. A cellulase, such as any of the foregoing, preferably is in amature form lacking an N-terminal signal peptide. Commercially availablecellulases useful herein include CELLUZYME® and CAREZYME® (NovozymesA/S); CLAZINASE® and PURADAX® HA (DuPont Industrial Biosciences), andKAC-500(B)® (Kao Corporation).

Alternatively, a cellulase herein may be produced by any means known inthe art, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,435,307, 5,776,757 and7,604,974, which are incorporated herein by reference. For example, acellulase may be produced recombinantly in a heterologous expressionsystem, such as a microbial or fungal heterologous expression system.Examples of heterologous expression systems include bacterial (e.g., E.coli, Bacillus sp.) and eukaryotic systems. Eukaryotic systems canemploy yeast (e.g., Pichia sp., Saccharomyces sp.) or fungal (e.g.,Trichoderma sp. such as T. reesei, Aspergillus species such as A. niger)expression systems, for example.

One or more cellulases can be directly added as an ingredient whenpreparing a composition disclosed herein. Alternatively, one or morecellulases can be indirectly (inadvertently) provided in the disclosedcomposition. For example, cellulase can be provided in a compositionherein by virtue of being present in a non-cellulase enzyme preparationused for preparing a composition. Cellulase in compositions in whichcellulase is indirectly provided thereto can be present at about 0.1-10ppb (e.g., less than 1 ppm), for example. A contemplated benefit of acomposition herein, by virtue of employing a poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucanether compound instead of a cellulose ether compound, is thatnon-cellulase enzyme preparations that might have background cellulaseactivity can be used without concern that the desired effects of theglucan ether will be negated by the background cellulase activity.

A cellulase in certain embodiments can be thermostable. Cellulasethermostability refers to the ability of the enzyme to retain activityafter exposure to an elevated temperature (e.g. about 60-70° C.) for aperiod of time (e.g., about 30-60 minutes). The thermostability of acellulase can be measured by its half-life (t½) given in minutes, hours,or days, during which time period half the cellulase activity is lostunder defined conditions.

A cellulase in certain embodiments can be stable to a wide range of pHvalues (e.g. neutral or alkaline pH such as pH of ˜7.0 to ˜11.0). Suchenzymes can remain stable for a predetermined period of time (e.g., atleast about 15 min., 30 min., or 1 hour) under such pH conditions.

At least one, two, or more cellulases may be included in thecomposition. The total amount of cellulase in a composition hereintypically is an amount that is suitable for the purpose of usingcellulase in the composition (an “effective amount”). For example, aneffective amount of cellulase in a composition intended for improvingthe feel and/or appearance of a cellulose-containing fabric is an amountthat produces measurable improvements in the feel of the fabric (e.g.,improving fabric smoothness and/or appearance, removing pills andfibrils which tend to reduce fabric appearance sharpness). As anotherexample, an effective amount of cellulase in a fabric stonewashingcomposition herein is that amount which will provide the desired effect(e.g., to produce a worn and faded look in seams and on fabric panels).The amount of cellulase in a composition herein can also depend on theprocess parameters in which the composition is employed (e.g.,equipment, temperature, time, and the like) and cellulase activity, forexample. The effective concentration of cellulase in an aqueouscomposition in which a fabric is treated can be readily determined by askilled artisan. In fabric care processes, cellulase can be present inan aqueous composition (e.g., wash liquor) in which a fabric is treatedin a concentration that is minimally about 0.01-0.1 ppm total cellulaseprotein, or about 0.1-10 ppb total cellulase protein (e.g., less than 1ppm), to maximally about 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 5000ppm total cellulase protein, for example.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, the α-glucanoligomer/polymers and/or the present α-glucan ethers (derived from thepresent α-glucan oligomer/polymers) are mostly or completely stable(resistant) to being degraded by cellulase. For example, the percentdegradation of the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or α-glucanether compounds by one or more cellulases is less than 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%,6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%, or is 0%. Such percent degradation can bedetermined, for example, by comparing the molecular weight of polymerbefore and after treatment with a cellulase for a period of time (e.g.,˜24 hours).

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, hydrocolloidsand aqueous solutions in certain embodiments are believed to have eithershear thinning behavior or shear thickening behavior. Shear thinningbehavior is observed as a decrease in viscosity of the hydrocolloid oraqueous solution as shear rate increases, whereas shear thickeningbehavior is observed as an increase in viscosity of the hydrocolloid oraqueous solution as shear rate increases. Modification of the shearthinning behavior or shear thickening behavior of an aqueous solutionherein is due to the admixture of the α-glucan ether to the aqueouscomposition. Thus, one or more α-glucan ether compounds can be added toan aqueous composition to modify its rheological profile (i.e., the flowproperties of the aqueous liquid, solution, or mixture are modified).Also, one or more α-glucan ether compounds can be added to an aqueouscomposition to modify its viscosity.

The rheological properties of hydrocolloids and aqueous solutions can beobserved by measuring viscosity over an increasing rotational shear rate(e.g., from about 10 rpm to about 250 rpm). For example, shear thinningbehavior of a hydrocolloid or aqueous solution disclosed herein can beobserved as a decrease in viscosity (cPs) by at least about 5%, 10%,15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%,85%, 90%, or 95% (or any integer between 5% and 95%) as the rotationalshear rate increases from about 10 rpm to 60 rpm, 10 rpm to 150 rpm, 10rpm to 250 rpm, 60 rpm to 150 rpm, 60 rpm to 250 rpm, or 150 rpm to 250rpm. As another example, shear thickening behavior of a hydrocolloid oraqueous solution disclosed herein can be observed as an increase inviscosity (cPs) by at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%,45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 100%, 125%, 150%,175%, or 200% (or any integer between 5% and 200%) as the rotationalshear rate increases from about 10 rpm to 60 rpm, 10 rpm to 150 rpm, 10rpm to 250 rpm, 60 rpm to 150 rpm, 60 rpm to 250 rpm, or 150 rpm to 250rpm.

A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution disclosed herein can be in the formof, and/or comprised in, a textile care product, a laundry care product,a personal care product, a pharmaceutical product, or industrialproduct. The present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or the presentα-glucan ether compounds can be used as thickening agents and/ordispersion agents in each of these products. Such a thickening agent maybe used in conjunction with one or more other types of thickening agentsif desired, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,541,041, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A household and/or industrial product herein can be in the form ofdrywall tape-joint compounds; mortars; grouts; cement plasters; sprayplasters; cement stucco; adhesives; pastes; wall/ceiling texturizers;binders and processing aids for tape casting, extrusion forming,injection molding and ceramics; spray adherents andsuspending/dispersing aids for pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers;fabric care products such as fabric softeners and laundry detergents;hard surface cleaners; air fresheners; polymer emulsions; gels such aswater-based gels; surfactant solutions; paints such as water-basedpaints; protective coatings; adhesives; sealants and caulks; inks suchas water-based ink; metal-working fluids; emulsion-based metal cleaningfluids used in electroplating, phosphatizing, galvanizing and/or generalmetal cleaning operations; hydraulic fluids (e.g., those used forfracking in downhole operations); and aqueous mineral slurries, forexample.

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, compositionsdisclosed herein can be in the form of a fabric care composition. Afabric care composition herein can be used for hand wash, machine washand/or other purposes such as soaking and/or pretreatment of fabrics,for example. A fabric care composition may take the form of, forexample, a laundry detergent; fabric conditioner; any wash-, rinse-, ordryer-added product; unit dose or spray. Fabric care compositions in aliquid form may be in the form of an aqueous composition as disclosedherein. In other aspects, a fabric care composition can be in a dry formsuch as a granular detergent or dryer-added fabric softener sheet. Othernon-limiting examples of fabric care compositions herein include:granular or powder-form all-purpose or heavy-duty washing agents;liquid, gel or paste-form all-purpose or heavy-duty washing agents;liquid or dry fine-fabric (e.g. delicates) detergents; cleaningauxiliaries such as bleach additives, “stain-stick”, or pre-treatments;substrate-laden products such as dry and wetted wipes, pads, or sponges;sprays and mists.

A detergent composition herein may be in any useful form, e.g., aspowders, granules, pastes, bars, unit dose, or liquid. A liquiddetergent may be aqueous, typically containing up to about 70 wt % ofwater and 0 wt % to about 30 wt % of organic solvent. It may also be inthe form of a compact gel type containing only about 30 wt % water.

A detergent composition herein typically comprises one or moresurfactants, wherein the surfactant is selected from nonionicsurfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, ampholyticsurfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, semi-polar nonionic surfactantsand mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the surfactant is present ata level of from about 0.1% to about 60%, while in alternativeembodiments the level is from about 1% to about 50%, while in stillfurther embodiments the level is from about 5% to about 40%, by weightof the cleaning composition. A detergent will usually contain 0 wt % toabout 50 wt % of an anionic surfactant such as linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (LAS), alpha-olefinsulfonate (AOS), alkyl sulfate(fatty alcohol sulfate) (AS), alcohol ethoxysulfate (AEOS or AES),secondary alkanesulfonates (SAS), alpha-sulfo fatty acid methyl esters,alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, or soap. In addition, a detergentcomposition may optionally contain 0 wt % to about 40 wt % of a nonionicsurfactant such as alcohol ethoxylate (AEO or AE), carboxylated alcoholethoxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylate, alkylpolyglycoside,alkyldimethylamineoxide, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide, fattyacid monoethanolamide, or polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amide (asdescribed for example in WO92/06154, which is incorporated herein byreference).

A detergent composition herein typically comprises one or more detergentbuilders or builder systems. In some embodiments incorporating at leastone builder, the cleaning compositions comprise at least about 1%, fromabout 3% to about 60% or even from about 5% to about 40% builder byweight of the cleaning composition. Builders include, but are notlimited to, the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts ofpolyphosphates, alkali metal silicates, alkaline earth and alkali metalcarbonates, aluminosilicates, polycarboxylate compounds, etherhydroxypolycarboxylates, copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene orvinyl methyl ether, 1,3,5-trihydroxy benzene-2,4,6-trisulphonic acid,and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, the various alkali metal, ammoniumand substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such asethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well aspolycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, citric acid,oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid,carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof. Indeed, it iscontemplated that any suitable builder will find use in variousembodiments of the present disclosure. Examples of a detergent builderor complexing agent include zeolite, diphosphate, triphosphate,phosphonate, citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA),ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaaceticacid (DTMPA), alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, soluble silicates orlayered silicates (e.g., SKS-6 from Hoechst). A detergent may also beunbuilt, i.e., essentially free of detergent builder.

In some embodiments, the builders form water-soluble hardness ioncomplexes (e.g., sequestering builders), such as citrates andpolyphosphates (e.g., sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium tripolyphospatehexahydrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, and mixed sodium and potassiumtripolyphosphate, etc.). It is contemplated that any suitable builderwill find use in the present disclosure, including those known in theart (See e.g., EP 2 100 949).

In some embodiments, builders for use herein include phosphate buildersand non-phosphate builders. In some embodiments, the builder is aphosphate builder. In some embodiments, the builder is a non-phosphatebuilder. If present, builders are used in a level of from 0.1% to 80%,or from 5 to 60%, or from 10 to 50% by weight of the composition. Insome embodiments the product comprises a mixture of phosphate andnon-phosphate builders. Suitable phosphate builders includemono-phosphates, di-phosphates, tri-polyphosphates oroligomeric-poylphosphates, including the alkali metal salts of thesecompounds, including the sodium salts. In some embodiments, a buildercan be sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP). Additionally, the composition cancomprise carbonate and/or citrate, preferably citrate that helps toachieve a neutral pH composition. Other suitable non-phosphate buildersinclude homopolymers and copolymers of polycarboxylic acids and theirpartially or completely neutralized salts, monomeric polycarboxylicacids and hydroxycarboxylic acids and their salts. In some embodiments,salts of the above mentioned compounds include the ammonium and/oralkali metal salts, i.e. the lithium, sodium, and potassium salts,including sodium salts. Suitable polycarboxylic acids include acyclic,alicyclic, hetero-cyclic and aromatic carboxylic acids, wherein in someembodiments, they can contain at least two carboxyl groups which are ineach case separated from one another by, in some instances, no more thantwo carbon atoms.

A detergent composition herein can comprise at least one chelatingagent. Suitable chelating agents include, but are not limited to copper,iron and/or manganese chelating agents and mixtures thereof. Inembodiments in which at least one chelating agent is used, the cleaningcompositions comprise from about 0.1% to about 15% or even from about3.0% to about 10% chelating agent by weight of the subject cleaningcomposition.

A detergent composition herein can comprise at least one deposition aid.Suitable deposition aids include, but are not limited to, polyethyleneglycol, polypropylene glycol, polycarboxylate, soil release polymerssuch as polytelephthalic acid, clays such as kaolinite, montmorillonite,atapulgite, illite, bentonite, halloysite, and mixtures thereof.

A detergent composition herein can comprise one or more dye transferinhibiting agents. Suitable polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agentsinclude, but are not limited to, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers,polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone andN-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles ormixtures thereof. Additional dye transfer inhibiting agents includemanganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers,polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone andN-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidones and polyvinylimidazoles and/ormixtures thereof; chelating agents examples of which includeethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA); diethylene triamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid (DTPMP); hydroxy-ethane diphosphonic acid(HEDP); ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS); methyl glycinediacetic acid (MGDA); diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (DTPA);propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDT A); 2-hydroxypyridine-N-oxide(HPNO); or methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA); glutamic acidN,N-diacetic acid (N,N-dicarboxymethyl glutamic acid tetrasodium salt(GLDA); nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonicacid; citric acid and any salts thereof;N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetri-acetic acid (HEDTA),triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid (TTNA), N-hydroxyethyliminodiaceticacid (HEIDA), dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG),ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid (EDTP) and derivatives thereof, whichcan be used alone or in combination with any of the above. Inembodiments in which at least one dye transfer inhibiting agent is used,the cleaning compositions comprise from about 0.0001% to about 10%, fromabout 0.01% to about 5%, or even from about 0.1% to about 3% by weightof the cleaning composition.

A detergent composition herein can comprise silicates. In some suchembodiments, sodium silicates (e.g., sodium disilicate, sodiummetasilicate, and crystalline phyllosilicates) find use. In someembodiments, silicates are present at a level of from about 1% to about20%. In some embodiments, silicates are present at a level of from about5% to about 15% by weight of the composition.

A detergent composition herein can comprise dispersants. Suitablewater-soluble organic materials include, but are not limited to thehomo- or co-polymeric acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylicacid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated from each otherby not more than two carbon atoms.

Any cellulase disclosed above is contemplated for use in the discloseddetergent compositions. Suitable cellulases include, but are not limitedto Humicola insolens cellulases (See e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307).Exemplary cellulases contemplated for such use are those having colorcare benefit for a textile. Examples of cellulases that provide a colorcare benefit are disclosed in EP0495257, EP0531372, EP531315,WO96/11262, WO96/29397, WO94/07998; WO98/12307; WO95/24471, WO98/08940,and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,457,046, 5,686,593 and 5,763,254, all of which areincorporated herein by reference. Examples of commercially availablecellulases useful in a detergent include CELLUSOFT®, CELLUCLEAN®,CELLUZYME®, and CAREZYME® (Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S);CLAZINASE®, PURADAX HA®, and REVITALENZ™ (DuPont IndustrialBiosciences); BIOTOUCH® (AB Enzymes); and KAC-500(B)™ (Kao Corporation).Additional cellulases are disclosed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,595,182,8,569,033, 7,138,263, 3,844,890, 4,435,307, 4,435,307, and GB2095275.

A detergent composition herein may additionally comprise one or moreother enzymes in addition to at least one cellulase. Examples of otherenzymes include proteases, cellulases, hemicellulases, peroxidases,lipolytic enzymes (e.g., metallolipolytic enzymes), xylanases, lipases,phospholipases, esterases (e.g., arylesterase, polyesterase),perhydrolases, cutinases, pectinases, pectate lyases, mannanases,keratinases, reductases, oxidases (e.g., choline oxidase,phenoloxidase), phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases,tannases, pentosanases, malanases, beta-glucanases, arabinosidases,hyaluronidases, chondroitinases, laccases, metalloproteinases,amadoriases, glucoamylases, alpha-amylases, beta-amylases,galactosidases, galactanases, catalases, carageenases, hyaluronidases,keratinases, lactases, ligninases, peroxidases, phosphatases,polygalacturonases, pullulanases, rhamnogalactouronases, tannases,transglutaminases, xyloglucanases, xylosidases, metalloproteases,arabinofuranosidases, phytases, isomerases, transferases and/oramylasesin any combination.

In some embodiments, the detergent compositions can comprise one or moreenzymes, each at a level from about 0.00001% to about 10% by weight ofthe composition and the balance of cleaning adjunct materials by weightof composition. In some other embodiments, the detergent compositionsalso comprise each enzyme at a level of about 0.0001% to about 10%,about 0.001% to about 5%, about 0.001% to about 2%, about 0.005% toabout 0.5% enzyme by weight of the composition.

Suitable proteases include those of animal, vegetable or microbialorigin. In some embodiments, microbial proteases are used. In someembodiments, chemically or genetically modified mutants are included. Insome embodiments, the protease is a serine protease, preferably analkaline microbial protease or a trypsin-like protease. Examples ofalkaline proteases include subtilisins, especially those derived fromBacillus (e.g., subtilisin, lentus, amyloliquefaciens, subtilisinCarlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168).Additional examples include those mutant proteases described in U.S.Pat. Nos. RE 34,606, 5,955,340, 5,700,676, 6,312,936, and 6,482,628, allof which are incorporated herein by reference. Additional proteaseexamples include, but are not limited to trypsin (e.g., of porcine orbovine origin), and the Fusarium protease described in WO 89/06270. Insome embodiments, commercially available protease enzymes that find usein the present disclosure include, but are not limited to MAXATASE®,MAXACAL™, MAXAPEM™, OPTICLEAN®, OPTIMASE®, PROPERASE®, PURAFECT®,PURAFECT® OXP, PURAMAX™, EXCELLASE™, PREFERENZ™ proteases (e.g. P100,P110, P280), EFFECTENZ™ proteases (e.g. P1000, P1050, P2000), EXCELLENZ™proteases (e.g. P1000), ULTIMASE®, and PURAFAST™ (Genencor); ALCALASE®,SAVINASE®, PRIMASE®, DURAZYM™, POLARZYME®, OVOZYME®, KANNASE®,LIQUANASE®, NEUTRASE®, RELASE® and ESPERASE® (Novozymes); BLAP™ andBLAP™ variants (Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Duesseldorf,Germany), and KAP (B. alkalophilus subtilisin; Kao Corp., Tokyo, Japan).Various proteases are described in WO95/23221, WO 92/21760, WO09/149200, WO 09/149144, WO 09/149145, WO 11/072099, WO 10/056640, WO10/056653, WO 11/140364, WO 12/151534, U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2008/0090747,and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,801,039, 5,340,735, 5,500,364, 5,855,625, US RE34,606, 5,955,340, 5,700,676, 6,312,936, 6,482,628, 8,530,219, andvarious other patents. In some further embodiments, neutralmetalloproteases find use in the present disclosure, including but notlimited to the neutral metalloproteases described in WO1999014341,WO1999033960, WO1999014342, WO1999034003, WO2007044993, WO2009058303,WO2009058661. Exemplary metalloproteases include nprE, the recombinantform of neutral metalloprotease expressed in Bacillus subtilis (Seee.g., WO 07/044993), and PMN, the purified neutral metalloprotease fromBacillus amyloliquefaciens.

Suitable mannanases include, but are not limited to those of bacterialor fungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants areincluded in some embodiments. Various mannanases are known which finduse in the present disclosure (See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,566,114,6,602,842, and 6,440,991, all of which are incorporated herein byreference). Commercially available mannanases include, but are notlimited to MANNASTAR®, PURABRITE™, and MANNAWAY®.

Suitable lipases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemicallymodified, proteolytically modified, or protein engineered mutants areincluded. Examples of useful lipases include those from the generaHumicola (e.g., H. lanuginosa, EP258068 and EP305216; H. insolens,WO96/13580), Pseudomonas (e.g., P. alcaligenes or P. pseudoalcaligenes,EP218272; P. cepacia, EP331376; P. stutzeri, GB1372034; P. fluorescensand Pseudomonas sp. strain SD 705, WO95/06720 and WO96/27002; P.wisconsinensis, WO96/12012); and Bacillus (e.g., B. subtilis, Dartois etal., Biochemica et Biophysica Acta 1131:253-360; B. stearothermophilus,JP64/744992; B. pumilus, WO91/16422). Furthermore, a number of clonedlipases find use in some embodiments of the present disclosure,including but not limited to Penicillium camembertii lipase (See,Yamaguchi et al., Gene 103:61-67 [1991]), Geotricum candidum lipase(See, Schimada et al., J. Biochem., 106:383-388 [1989]), and variousRhizopus lipases such as R. delemar lipase (See, Hass et al., Gene109:117-113 [1991]), a R. niveus lipase (Kugimiya et al., Biosci.Biotech. Biochem. 56:716-719 [1992]) and R. oryzae lipase. Additionallipases useful herein include, for example, those disclosed inWO92/05249, WO94/01541, WO95/35381, WO96/00292, WO95/30744, WO94/25578,WO95/14783, WO95/22615, WO97/04079, WO97/07202, EP407225 and EP260105.Other types of lipase polypeptide enzymes such as cutinases also finduse in some embodiments, including but not limited to the cutinasederived from Pseudomonas mendocina (See, WO 88/09367), and the cutinasederived from Fusarium solani pisi (See, WO 90/09446). Examples ofcertain commercially available lipase enzymes useful herein include M1LIPASE™, LUMA FAST™, and LIPOMAX™ (Genencor); LIPEX®, LIPOLASE® andLIPOLASE® ULTRA (Novozymes); and LIPASE P™ “Amano” (Amano PharmaceuticalCo. Ltd., Japan).

Suitable polyesterases include, for example, those disclosed inWO01/34899, WO01/14629 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,140.

A detergent composition herein can also comprise 2,6-beta-D-fructanhydrolase, which is effective for removal/cleaning of certain biofilmspresent on household and/or industrial textiles/laundry.

Suitable amylases include, but are not limited to those of bacterial orfungal origin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are includedin some embodiments. Amylases that find use in the present disclosure,include, but are not limited to α-amylases obtained from B.licheniformis (See e.g., GB 1,296,839). Additional suitable amylasesinclude those found in WO9510603, WO9526397, WO9623874, WO9623873,WO9741213, WO9919467, WO0060060, WO0029560, WO9923211, WO9946399,WO0060058, WO0060059, WO9942567, WO0114532, WO02092797, WO0166712,WO0188107, WO0196537, WO0210355, WO9402597, WO0231124, WO9943793,WO9943794, WO2004113551, WO2005001064, WO2005003311, WO0164852,WO2006063594, WO2006066594, WO2006066596, WO2006012899, WO2008092919,WO2008000825, WO2005018336, WO2005066338, WO2009140504, WO2005019443,WO2010091221, WO2010088447, WO0134784, WO2006012902, WO2006031554,WO2006136161, WO2008101894, WO2010059413, WO2011098531, WO2011080352,WO2011080353, WO2011080354, WO2011082425, WO2011082429, WO2011076123,WO2011087836, WO2011076897, WO94183314, WO9535382, WO9909183, WO9826078,WO9902702, WO9743424, WO9929876, WO9100353, WO9605295, WO9630481,WO9710342, WO2008088493, WO2009149419, WO2009061381, WO2009100102,WO2010104675, WO2010117511, and WO2010115021.

Suitable amylases include, for example, commercially available amylasessuch as STAINZYME®, STAINZYME PLUS®, NATALASE®, DURAMYL®, TERMAMYL®,TERMAMYL ULTRA®, FUNGAMYL® and BAN™ (Novo Nordisk A/S and NovozymesA/S); RAPIDASE®, POWERASE®, PURASTAR® and PREFERENZ™ (DuPont IndustrialBiosciences).

Suitable peroxidases/oxidases contemplated for use in the compositionsinclude those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modifiedor protein engineered mutants are included. Examples of peroxidasesuseful herein include those from the genus Coprinus (e.g., C. cinereus,WO93/24618, WO95/10602, and WO98/15257), as well as those referenced inWO 2005056782, WO2007106293, WO2008063400, WO2008106214, andWO2008106215. Commercially available peroxidases useful herein include,for example, GUARDZYME™ (Novo Nordisk A/S and Novozymes A/S).

In some embodiments, peroxidases are used in combination with hydrogenperoxide or a source thereof (e.g., a percarbonate, perborate orpersulfate) in the compositions. In some alternative embodiments,oxidases are used in combination with oxygen. Both types of enzymes areused for “solution bleaching” (i.e., to prevent transfer of a textiledye from a dyed fabric to another fabric when the fabrics are washedtogether in a wash liquor), preferably together with an enhancing agent(See e.g., WO 94/12621 and WO 95/01426). Suitable peroxidases/oxidasesinclude, but are not limited to those of plant, bacterial or fungalorigin. Chemically or genetically modified mutants are included in someembodiments.

Enzymes that may be comprised in a detergent composition herein may bestabilized using conventional stabilizing agents, e.g., a polyol such aspropylene glycol or glycerol; a sugar or sugar alcohol; lactic acid;boric acid or a boric acid derivative (e.g., an aromatic borate ester).

A detergent composition herein may contain about 1 wt % to about 65 wt %of a detergent builder or complexing agent such as zeolite, diphosphate,triphosphate, phosphonate, citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA),ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaaceticacid (DTMPA), alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, soluble silicates orlayered silicates (e.g., SKS-6 from Hoechst). A detergent may also beunbuilt, i.e., essentially free of detergent builder.

A detergent composition in certain embodiments may comprise one or moreother types of polymers in addition to the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers and/or the present α-glucan ether compounds. Examplesof other types of polymers useful herein include carboxymethyl cellulose(CMC), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG),poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates,maleic/acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acidcopolymers.

A detergent composition herein may contain a bleaching system. Forexample, a bleaching system can comprise an H₂O₂ source such asperborate or percarbonate, which may be combined with a peracid-formingbleach activator such as tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) ornonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS). Alternatively, a bleaching systemmay comprise peroxyacids (e.g., amide, imide, or sulfone typeperoxyacids). Alternatively still, a bleaching system can be anenzymatic bleaching system comprising perhydrolase, for example, such asthe system described in WO2005/056783.

A detergent composition herein may also contain conventional detergentingredients such as fabric conditioners, clays, foam boosters, sudssuppressors, anti-corrosion agents, soil-suspending agents, anti-soilredeposition agents, dyes, bactericides, tarnish inhibiters, opticalbrighteners, or perfumes. The pH of a detergent composition herein(measured in aqueous solution at use concentration) is usually neutralor alkaline (e.g., pH of about 7.0 to about 11.0).

Particular forms of detergent compositions that can be adapted forpurposes disclosed herein are disclosed in, for example,US20090209445A1, US20100081598A1, U.S. Pat. No. 7,001,878B2,EP1504994B1, WO2001085888A2, WO2003089562A1, WO2009098659A1,WO2009098660A1, WO2009112992A1, WO2009124160A1, WO2009152031A1,WO2010059483A1, WO2010088112A1, WO2010090915A1, WO2010135238A1,WO2011094687A1, WO2011094690A1, WO2011127102A1, WO2011163428A1,WO2008000567A1, WO2006045391A1, WO2006007911A1, WO2012027404A1,EP1740690B1, WO2012059336A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,730,646B1, WO2008087426A1,WO2010116139A1, and WO2012104613A1, all of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

Laundry detergent compositions herein can optionally be heavy duty (allpurpose) laundry detergent compositions. Exemplary heavy duty laundrydetergent compositions comprise a detersive surfactant (10%-40% wt/wt),including an anionic detersive surfactant (selected from a group oflinear or branched or random chain, substituted or unsubstituted alkylsulphates, alkyl sulphonates, alkyl alkoxylated sulphate, alkylphosphates, alkyl phosphonates, alkyl carboxylates, and/or mixturesthereof), and optionally non-ionic surfactant (selected from a group oflinear or branched or random chain, substituted or unsubstituted alkylalkoxylated alcohol, e.g., C₈-C₁₈ alkyl ethoxylated alcohols and/orC₆-C₁₂ alkyl phenol alkoxylates), where the weight ratio of anionicdetersive surfactant (with a hydrophilic index (HIc) of from 6.0 to 9)to non-ionic detersive surfactant is greater than 1:1. Suitabledetersive surfactants also include cationic detersive surfactants(selected from a group of alkyl pyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternaryammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkylternary sulphonium compounds, and/or mixtures thereof); zwitterionicand/or amphoteric detersive surfactants (selected from a group ofalkanolamine sulpho-betaines); ampholytic surfactants; semi-polarnon-ionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

A detergent herein such as a heavy duty laundry detergent compositionmay optionally include, a surfactancy boosting polymer consisting ofamphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymers (selected from a groupof alkoxylated polymers having branched hydrophilic and hydrophobicproperties, such as alkoxylated polyalkylenimines in the range of 0.05wt %-10 wt %) and/or random graft polymers (typically comprising ofhydrophilic backbone comprising monomers selected from the groupconsisting of: unsaturated C₁-C₆ carboxylic acids, ethers, alcohols,aldehydes, ketones, esters, sugar units, alkoxy units, maleic anhydride,saturated polyalcohols such as glycerol, and mixtures thereof; andhydrophobic side chain(s) selected from the group consisting of: C₄-C₂₅alkyl group, polypropylene, polybutylene, vinyl ester of a saturatedC₁-C₆ mono-carboxylic acid, C₁-C₆ alkyl ester of acrylic or methacrylicacid, and mixtures thereof.

A detergent herein such as a heavy duty laundry detergent compositionmay optionally include additional polymers such as soil release polymers(include anionically end-capped polyesters, for example SRP1, polymerscomprising at least one monomer unit selected from saccharide,dicarboxylic acid, polyol and combinations thereof, in random or blockconfiguration, ethylene terephthalate-based polymers and co-polymersthereof in random or block configuration, for example REPEL-O-TEX SF,SF-2 AND SRP6, TEXCARE SRA100, SRA300, SRN100, SRN170, SRN240, SRN300AND SRN325, MARLOQUEST SL), anti-redeposition polymers (0.1 wt % to 10wt %), include carboxylate polymers, such as polymers comprising atleast one monomer selected from acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleicanhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid,citraconic acid, methylenemalonic acid, and any mixture thereof,vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer, and/or polyethylene glycol, molecularweight in the range of from 500 to 100,000 Da); and polymericcarboxylate (such as maleate/acrylate random copolymer or polyacrylatehomopolymer).

A detergent herein such as a heavy duty laundry detergent compositionmay optionally further include saturated or unsaturated fatty acids,preferably saturated or unsaturated C₁₂-C₂₄ fatty acids (0 wt % to 10 wt%); deposition aids in addition to the α-glucan ether compound disclosedherein (examples for which include polysaccharides, cellulosic polymers,poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium halides (DADMAC), and co-polymers of DADMAC with vinyl pyrrolidone, acrylamides, imidazoles, imidazoliniumhalides, and mixtures thereof, in random or block configuration,cationic guar gum, cationic starch, cationic polyacylamides, andmixtures thereof.

A detergent herein such as a heavy duty laundry detergent compositionmay optionally further include dye transfer inhibiting agents, examplesof which include manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases,polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers ofN-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidones andpolyvinylimidazoles and/or mixtures thereof; chelating agents, examplesof which include ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriamine penta methylene phosphonic acid (DTPMP), hydroxy-ethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP), ethylenediamine N,N′-disuccinic acid (EDDS),methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), diethylene triamine penta aceticacid (DTPA), propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA),2-hydroxypyridine-N-oxide (HPNO), or methyl glycine diacetic acid(MGDA), glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (N,N-dicarboxymethyl glutamicacid tetrasodium salt (GLDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA),4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid, citric acid and any saltsthereof, N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA),triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid (TTNA), N-hydroxyethyliminodiaceticacid (HEIDA), dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG),ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid (EDTP), and derivatives thereof.

A detergent herein such as a heavy duty laundry detergent compositionmay optionally include silicone or fatty-acid based suds suppressors;hueing dyes, calcium and magnesium cations, visual signalingingredients, anti-foam (0.001 wt % to about 4.0 wt %), and/or astructurant/thickener (0.01 wt % to 5 wt %) selected from the groupconsisting of diglycerides and triglycerides, ethylene glycoldistearate, microcrystalline cellulose, microfiber cellulose,biopolymers, xanthan gum, gellan gum, and mixtures thereof). Suchstructurant/thickener would be in addition to the one or more of thepresent α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or α-glucan ether compoundscomprised in the detergent.

A detergent herein can be in the form of a heavy duty dry/solid laundrydetergent composition, for example. Such a detergent may include: (i) adetersive surfactant, such as any anionic detersive surfactant disclosedherein, any non-ionic detersive surfactant disclosed herein, anycationic detersive surfactant disclosed herein, any zwitterionic and/oramphoteric detersive surfactant disclosed herein, any ampholyticsurfactant, any semi-polar non-ionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof;(ii) a builder, such as any phosphate-free builder (e.g., zeolitebuilders in the range of 0 wt % to less than 10 wt %), any phosphatebuilder (e.g., sodium tri-polyphosphate in the range of 0 wt % to lessthan 10 wt %), citric acid, citrate salts and nitrilotriacetic acid, anysilicate salt (e.g., sodium or potassium silicate or sodiummeta-silicate in the range of 0 wt % to less than 10 wt %); anycarbonate salt (e.g., sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate in therange of 0 wt % to less than 80 wt %), and mixtures thereof; (iii) ableaching agent, such as any photobleach (e.g., sulfonated zincphthalocyanines, sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanines, xanthenes dyes,and mixtures thereof), any hydrophobic or hydrophilic bleach activator(e.g., dodecanoyl oxybenzene sulfonate, decanoyl oxybenzene sulfonate,decanoyl oxybenzoic acid or salts thereof, 3,5,5-trimethy hexanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, tetraacetyl ethylene diamine-TAED,nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate-NOBS, nitrile quats, and mixtures thereof),any source of hydrogen peroxide (e.g., inorganic perhydrate salts,examples of which include mono or tetra hydrate sodium salt ofperborate, percarbonate, persulfate, perphosphate, or persilicate), anypreformed hydrophilic and/or hydrophobic peracids (e.g., percarboxylicacids and salts, percarbonic acids and salts, perimidic acids and salts,peroxymonosulfuric acids and salts, and mixtures thereof); and/or (iv)any other components such as a bleach catalyst (e.g., imine bleachboosters examples of which include iminium cations and polyions, iminiumzwitterions, modified amines, modified amine oxides, N-sulphonyl imines,N-phosphonyl imines, N-acyl imines, thiadiazole dioxides,perfluoroimines, cyclic sugar ketones, and mixtures thereof), and ametal-containing bleach catalyst (e.g., copper, iron, titanium,ruthenium, tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese cations along with anauxiliary metal cations such as zinc or aluminum and a sequestrate suchas EDTA, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid).

Compositions disclosed herein can be in the form of a dishwashingdetergent composition. Examples of dishwashing detergents includeautomatic dishwashing detergents (typically used in dishwasher machines)and hand-washing dish detergents. A dishwashing detergent compositioncan be in any dry or liquid/aqueous form as disclosed herein, forexample. Components that may be included in certain embodiments of adishwashing detergent composition include, for example, one or more of aphosphate; oxygen- or chlorine-based bleaching agent; non-ionicsurfactant; alkaline salt (e.g., metasilicates, alkali metal hydroxides,sodium carbonate); any active enzyme disclosed herein; anti-corrosionagent (e.g., sodium silicate); anti-foaming agent; additives to slowdown the removal of glaze and patterns from ceramics; perfume;anti-caking agent (in granular detergent); starch (in tablet-baseddetergents); gelling agent (in liquid/gel based detergents); and/or sand(powdered detergents).

Dishwashing detergents such as an automatic dishwasher detergent orliquid dishwashing detergent can comprise (i) a non-ionic surfactant,including any ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant, alcohol alkoxylatedsurfactant, epoxy-capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohol, or amine oxidesurfactant present in an amount from 0 to 10 wt %; (ii) a builder, inthe range of about 5-60 wt %, including any phosphate builder (e.g.,mono-phosphates, di-phosphates, tri-polyphosphates, otheroligomeric-polyphosphates, sodium tripolyphosphate-STPP), anyphosphate-free builder (e.g., amino acid-based compounds includingmethyl-glycine-diacetic acid [MGDA] and salts or derivatives thereof,glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid [GLDA] and salts or derivatives thereof,iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) and salts or derivatives thereof, carboxymethyl inulin and salts or derivatives thereof, nitrilotriacetic acid[NTA], diethylene triamine penta acetic acid [DTPA], B-alaninediaceticacid [B-ADA] and salts thereof), homopolymers and copolymers ofpoly-carboxylic acids and partially or completely neutralized saltsthereof, monomeric polycarboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids andsalts thereof in the range of 0.5 wt % to 50 wt %, orsulfonated/carboxylated polymers in the range of about 0.1 wt % to about50 wt %; (iii) a drying aid in the range of about 0.1 wt % to about 10wt % (e.g., polyesters, especially anionic polyesters, optionallytogether with further monomers with 3 to 6 functionalities—typicallyacid, alcohol or ester functionalities which are conducive topolycondensation, polycarbonate-, polyurethane- and/orpolyurea-polyorganosiloxane compounds or precursor compounds thereof,particularly of the reactive cyclic carbonate and urea type); (iv) asilicate in the range from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % (e.g., sodiumor potassium silicates such as sodium disilicate, sodium meta-silicateand crystalline phyllosilicates); (v) an inorganic bleach (e.g.,perhydrate salts such as perborate, percarbonate, perphosphate,persulfate and persilicate salts) and/or an organic bleach (e.g.,organic peroxyacids such as diacyl- and tetraacylperoxides, especiallydiperoxydodecanedioic acid, diperoxytetradecanedioic acid, anddiperoxyhexadecanedioic acid); (vi) a bleach activator (e.g., organicperacid precursors in the range from about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt %)and/or bleach catalyst (e.g., manganese triazacyclononane and relatedcomplexes; Co, Cu, Mn, and Fe bispyridylamine and related complexes; andpentamine acetate cobalt(III) and related complexes); (vii) a metal careagent in the range from about 0.1 wt % to 5 wt % (e.g., benzatriazoles,metal salts and complexes, and/or silicates); and/or (viii) any activeenzyme disclosed herein in the range from about 0.01 to 5.0 mg of activeenzyme per gram of automatic dishwashing detergent composition, and anenzyme stabilizer component (e.g., oligosaccharides, polysaccharides,and inorganic divalent metal salts).

Various examples of detergent formulations comprising at least oneα-glucan ether compound (e.g., a carboxyalkyl α-glucan ether such ascarboxymethyl α-glucan) are disclosed below (1-19):

1) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: linear alkylbenzenesulfonate(calculated as acid) at about 7-12 wt %; alcohol ethoxysulfate (e.g.,C₁₂-C₁₈ alcohol, 1-2 ethylene oxide [EO]) or alkyl sulfate (e.g.,C16-18) at about 1-4 wt %; alcohol ethoxylate (e.g., C₁₄-C₁₅ alcohol) atabout 5-9 wt %; sodium carbonate at about 14-20 wt %; soluble silicate(e.g., Na₂O₂SiO₂) at about 2-6 wt %; zeolite (e.g., NaAlSiO₄) at about15-22 wt %; sodium sulfate at about 0-6 wt %; sodium citrate/citric acidat about 0-15 wt %; sodium perborate at about 11-18 wt %; TAED at about2-6 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %; other polymers (e.g.,maleic/acrylic acid copolymer, PVP, PEG) at about 0-3 wt %; optionallyan enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt%; and minor ingredients (e.g., suds suppressors, perfumes, opticalbrightener, photobleach) at about 0-5 wt %.

2) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: linear alkylbenzenesulfonate(calculated as acid) at about 6-11 wt %; alcohol ethoxysulfate (e.g.,C12-18 alcohol, 1-2 EO) or alkyl sulfate (e.g., C16-18) at about 1-3 wt%; alcohol ethoxylate (e.g., C14-15 alcohol) at about 5-9 wt %; sodiumcarbonate at about 15-21 wt %; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O₂SiO₂) atabout 1-4 wt %; zeolite (e.g., NaAlSiO₄) at about 24-34 wt %; sodiumsulfate at about 4-10 wt %; sodium citrate/citric acid at about 0-15 wt%; sodium perborate at about 11-18 wt %; TAED at about 2-6 wt %;α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %; other polymers (e.g., maleic/acrylicacid copolymer, PVP, PEG) at about 1-6 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s)(calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minoringredients (e.g., suds suppressors, perfumes, optical brightener,photobleach) at about 0-5 wt %.

3) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: linear alkylbenzenesulfonate(calculated as acid) at about 5-9 wt %; alcohol ethoxysulfate (e.g.,C12-18 alcohol, 7 EO) at about 7-14 wt %; soap as fatty acid (e.g.,C16-22 fatty acid) at about 1-3 wt %; sodium carbonate at about 10-17 wt%; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂) at about 3-9 wt %; zeolite (e.g.,NaAlSiO₄) at about 23-33 wt %; sodium sulfate at about 0-4 wt %; sodiumperborate at about 8-16 wt %; TAED at about 2-8 wt %; phosphonate (e.g.,EDTMPA) at about 0-1 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %; otherpolymers (e.g., maleic/acrylic acid copolymer, PVP, PEG) at about 0-3 wt%; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., suds suppressors,perfumes, optical brightener) at about 0-5 wt %.

4) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: linear alkylbenzenesulfonate(calculated as acid) at about 8-12 wt %; alcohol ethoxylate (e.g.,C12-18 alcohol, 7 EO) at about 10-25 wt %; sodium carbonate at about14-22 wt %; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂) at about 1-5 wt %;zeolite (e.g., NaAlSiO₄) at about 25-35 wt %; sodium sulfate at about0-10 wt %; sodium perborate at about 8-16 wt %; TAED at about 2-8 wt %;phosphonate (e.g., EDTMPA) at about 0-1 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about2 wt %; other polymers (e.g., maleic/acrylic acid copolymer, PVP, PEG)at about 1-3 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzymeprotein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., sudssuppressors, perfumes) at about 0-5 wt %.

5) An aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising: linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (calculated as acid) at about 15-21 wt %; alcoholethoxylate (e.g., C12-18 alcohol, 7 EO; or C12-15 alcohol, 5 EO) atabout 12-18 wt %; soap as fatty acid (e.g., oleic acid) at about 3-13 wt%; alkenylsuccinic acid (C12-14) at about 0-13 wt %; aminoethanol atabout 8-18 wt %; citric acid at about 2-8 wt %; phosphonate at about 0-3wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %; other polymers (e.g., PVP, PEG)at about 0-3 wt %; borate at about 0-2 wt %; ethanol at about 0-3 wt %;propylene glycol at about 8-14 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculatedas pure enzyme protein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients(e.g., dispersants, suds suppressors, perfume, optical brightener) atabout 0-5 wt %.

6) An aqueous structured liquid detergent composition comprising: linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (calculated as acid) at about 15-21 wt %; alcoholethoxylate (e.g., C12-18 alcohol, 7 EO; or C12-15 alcohol, 5 EO) atabout 3-9 wt %; soap as fatty acid (e.g., oleic acid) at about 3-10 wt%; zeolite (e.g., NaAlSiO₄) at about 14-22 wt %; potassium citrate about9-18 wt %; borate at about 0-2 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %;other polymers (e.g., PVP, PEG) at about 0-3 wt %; ethanol at about 0-3wt %; anchoring polymers (e.g., lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acidcopolymer, molar ratio 25:1, MW 3800) at about 0-3 wt %; glycerol atabout 0-5 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzymeprotein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g.,dispersants, suds suppressors, perfume, optical brightener) at about 0-5wt %.

7) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: fatty alcohol sulfate at about5-10 wt %, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide at about 3-9 wt %;soap as fatty acid at about 0-3 wt %; sodium carbonate at about 5-10 wt%; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂) at about 1-4 wt %; zeolite (e.g.,NaAlSiO₄) at about 20-40 wt %; sodium sulfate at about 2-8 wt %; sodiumperborate at about 12-18 wt %; TAED at about 2-7 wt %; α-glucan ether upto about 2 wt %; other polymers (e.g., maleic/acrylic acid copolymer,PEG) at about 1-5 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pureenzyme protein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g.,optical brightener, suds suppressors, perfumes) at about 0-5 wt %.

8) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate comprising: linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (calculated as acid) at about 8-14 wt %;ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide at about 5-11 wt %; soap asfatty acid at about 0-3 wt %; sodium carbonate at about 4-10 wt %;soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂) at about 1-4 wt %; zeolite (e.g.,NaAlSiO₄) at about 30-50 wt %; sodium sulfate at about 3-11 wt %; sodiumcitrate at about 5-12 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %; otherpolymers (e.g., PVP, maleic/acrylic acid copolymer, PEG) at about 1-5 wt%; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., suds suppressors,perfumes) at about 0-5 wt %.

9) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate comprising: linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (calculated as acid) at about 6-12 wt %; nonionicsurfactant at about 1-4 wt %; soap as fatty acid at about 2-6 wt %;sodium carbonate at about 14-22 wt %; zeolite (e.g., NaAlSiO₄) at about18-32 wt %; sodium sulfate at about 5-20 wt %; sodium citrate at about3-8 wt %; sodium perborate at about 4-9 wt %; bleach activator (e.g.,NOBS or TAED) at about 1-5 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %;other polymers (e.g., polycarboxylate or PEG) at about 1-5 wt %;optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., optical brightener,perfume) at about 0-5 wt %.

10) An aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising: linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (calculated as acid) at about 15-23 wt %; alcoholethoxysulfate (e.g., C12-15 alcohol, 2-3 EO) at about 8-15 wt %; alcoholethoxylate (e.g., C12-15 alcohol, 7 EO; or C12-15 alcohol, 5 EO) atabout 3-9 wt %; soap as fatty acid (e.g., lauric acid) at about 0-3 wt%; aminoethanol at about 1-5 wt %; sodium citrate at about 5-10 wt %;hydrotrope (e.g., sodium toluenesulfonate) at about 2-6 wt %; borate atabout 0-2 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 1 wt %; ethanol at about 1-3wt %; propylene glycol at about 2-5 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s)(calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minoringredients (e.g., dispersants, perfume, optical brighteners) at about0-5 wt %.

11) An aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising: linearalkylbenzenesulfonate (calculated as acid) at about 20-32 wt %; alcoholethoxylate (e.g., C12-15 alcohol, 7 EO; or C12-15 alcohol, 5 EO) atabout 6-12 wt %; aminoethanol at about 2-6 wt %; citric acid at about8-14 wt %; borate at about 1-3 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2 wt %;ethanol at about 1-3 wt %; propylene glycol at about 2-5 wt %; otherpolymers (e.g., maleic/acrylic acid copolymer, anchoring polymer such aslauryl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymer) at about 0-3 wt %; glycerolat about 3-8 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzymeprotein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g.,hydrotropes, dispersants, perfume, optical brighteners) at about 0-5 wt%.

12) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: anionic surfactant (e.g., linearalkylbenzenesulfonate, alkyl sulfate, alpha-olefinsulfonate, alpha-sulfofatty acid methyl esters, alkanesulfonates, soap) at about 25-40 wt %;nonionic surfactant (e.g., alcohol ethoxylate) at about 1-10 wt %;sodium carbonate at about 8-25 wt %; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂)at about 5-15 wt %; sodium sulfate at about 0-5 wt %; zeolite (NaAlSiO₄)at about 15-28 wt %; sodium perborate at about 0-20 wt %; bleachactivator (e.g., TAED or NOBS) at about 0-5 wt %; α-glucan ether up toabout 2 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzymeprotein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., perfume,optical brighteners) at about 0-3 wt %.

13) Detergent compositions as described in (1)-(12) above, but in whichall or part of the linear alkylbenzenesulfonate is replaced by C12-C18alkyl sulfate.

14) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: C12-C18 alkyl sulfate at about9-15 wt %; alcohol ethoxylate at about 3-6 wt %; polyhydroxy alkyl fattyacid amide at about 1-5 wt %; zeolite (e.g., NaAlSiO₄) at about 10-20 wt%; layered disilicate (e.g., SK56 from Hoechst) at about 10-20 wt %;sodium carbonate at about 3-12 wt %; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂)at 0-6 wt %; sodium citrate at about 4-8 wt %; sodium percarbonate atabout 13-22 wt %; TAED at about 3-8 wt %; α-glucan ether up to about 2wt %; other polymers (e.g., polycarboxylates and PVP) at about 0-5 wt %;optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzyme protein) at about0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., optical brightener,photobleach, perfume, suds suppressors) at about 0-5 wt %.

15) A detergent composition formulated as a granulate having a bulkdensity of at least 600 g/L comprising: C12-C18 alkyl sulfate at about4-8 wt %; alcohol ethoxylate at about 11-15 wt %; soap at about 1-4 wt%; zeolite MAP or zeolite A at about 35-45 wt %; sodium carbonate atabout 2-8 wt %; soluble silicate (e.g., Na₂O 2SiO₂) at 0-4 wt %; sodiumpercarbonate at about 13-22 wt %; TAED at about 1-8 wt %; α-glucan etherup to about 3 wt %; other polymers (e.g., polycarboxylates and PVP) atabout 0-3 wt %; optionally an enzyme(s) (calculated as pure enzymeprotein) at about 0.0001-0.1 wt %; and minor ingredients (e.g., opticalbrightener, phosphonate, perfume) at about 0-3 wt %.

16) Detergent formulations as described in (1)-(15) above, but thatcontain a stabilized or encapsulated peracid, either as an additionalcomponent or as a substitute for an already specified bleach system(s).

17) Detergent compositions as described in (1), (3), (7), (9) and (12)above, but in which perborate is replaced by percarbonate.

18) Detergent compositions as described in (1), (3), (7), (9), (12),(14) and (15) above, but that additionally contain a manganese catalyst.A manganese catalyst, for example, is one of the compounds described byHage et al. (1994, Nature 369:637-639), which is incorporated herein byreference.

19) Detergent compositions formulated as a non-aqueous detergent liquidcomprising a liquid non-ionic surfactant (e.g., a linear alkoxylatedprimary alcohol), a builder system (e.g., phosphate), α-glucan ether,optionally an enzyme(s), and alkali. The detergent may also comprise ananionic surfactant and/or bleach system.

In another embodiment, the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers(non-derivatized) may be partially or completely substituted for theα-glucan ether component in any of the above exemplary formulations.

It is believed that numerous commercially available detergentformulations can be adapted to include a poly alpha-1,3-1,6-glucan ethercompound. Examples include PUREX® ULTRAPACKS (Henkel), FINISH® QUANTUM(Reckitt Benckiser), CLOROX™ 2 PACKS (Clorox), OXICLEAN MAX FORCE POWERPAKS (Church & Dwight), TIDE® STAIN RELEASE, CASCADE® ACTIONPACS, andTIDE® PODS™ (Procter & Gamble).

In a further embodiment to any of the above embodiments, a personal carecomposition, a fabric care composition or a laundry care composition isprovided comprising the glucan ether composition described in any of thepreceding embodiments.

The present α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition and/or the presentα-glucan ether composition may be applied as a surface substantivetreatment to a fabric, yarn or fiber. In yet a further embodiment, afabric, yarn or fiber is provided comprising the present α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition, the present α-glucan ether composition, ora combination thereof.

The α-glucan ether compound disclosed herein may be used to alterviscosity of an aqueous composition. The α-glucan ether compound hereincan have a relatively low DoS and still be an effective viscositymodifier. It is believed that the viscosity modification effect of thedisclosed α-glucan ether compounds may be coupled with a rheologymodification effect. It is further believed that, by contacting ahydrocolloid or aqueous solution herein with a surface (e.g., fabricsurface), one or more α-glucan ether compounds and/or the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer composition, the compounds will adsorb to thesurface.

In another embodiment, a method for preparing an aqueous composition,the method is provided comprising: contacting an aqueous compositionwith the present α-glucan ether compound wherein the aqueous compositioncomprises a cellulase, a protease or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, a method to produce a glucan ether composition isprovided comprising:

-   -   a. Providing an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition        comprising:        -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;        -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;        -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000            Daltons;        -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12            wt % in water 20° C.;        -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25° C.;            and        -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5;    -   b. contacting the α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition of (a)        in a reaction under alkaline conditions with at least one        etherification agent comprising an organic group; whereby an        α-glucan ether is produced has a degree of substitution (DoS)        with at least one organic group of about 0.05 to about 3.0; and    -   c. optionally isolating the α-glucan ether produced in step (b).

In another embodiment, a method of treating an article of clothing,textile or fabric is provided comprising:

-   -   a. providing a composition selected from        -   i. a fabric care composition as described above;        -   ii. a laundry care composition as described above;        -   iii. an α-glucan ether composition as described above;        -   iv. an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprising:            -   i. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages;            -   ii. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;            -   iii. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;            -   iv. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000                Daltons;            -   v. a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at                12 wt % in water 20° C.;            -   vi. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25°                C.; and            -   vii. a polydispersity index of less than 5;        -   v. any combination of (i) through (iv).    -   b. contacting under suitable conditions the composition of (a)        with a fabric, textile or article of clothing whereby the        fabric, textile or article of clothing is treated and receives a        benefit;    -   c. optionally rinsing the treated fabric or article of clothing        of (b).

In a preferred embodiment of the above method, the composition of (a) iscellulase resistant, protease resistant or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment to the above method, the α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition and/or the α-glucan ether composition is a surfacesubstantive.

In another embodiment to any of the above methods, the benefit isselected from the group consisting of improved fabric hand, improvedresistance to soil deposition, improved colorfastness, improved wearresistance, improved wrinkle resistance, improved antifungal activity,improved stain resistance, improved cleaning performance when laundered,improved drying rates, improved dye, pigment or lake update, and anycombination thereof.

A fabric herein can comprise natural fibers, synthetic fibers,semi-synthetic fibers, or any combination thereof. A semi-syntheticfiber herein is produced using naturally occurring material that hasbeen chemically derivatized, an example of which is rayon. Non-limitingexamples of fabric types herein include fabrics made of (i) cellulosicfibers such as cotton (e.g., broadcloth, canvas, chambray, chenille,chintz, corduroy, cretonne, damask, denim, flannel, gingham, jacquard,knit, matelassé, oxford, percale, poplin, plissé, sateen, seersucker,sheers, terry cloth, twill, velvet), rayon (e.g., viscose, modal,lyocell), linen, and Tencel®; (ii) proteinaceous fibers such as silk,wool and related mammalian fibers; (iii) synthetic fibers such aspolyester, acrylic, nylon, and the like; (iv) long vegetable fibers fromjute, flax, ramie, coir, kapok, sisal, henequen, abaca, hemp and sunn;and (v) any combination of a fabric of (i)-(iv). Fabric comprising acombination of fiber types (e.g., natural and synthetic) include thosewith both a cotton fiber and polyester, for example. Materials/articlescontaining one or more fabrics herein include, for example, clothing,curtains, drapes, upholstery, carpeting, bed linens, bath linens,tablecloths, sleeping bags, tents, car interiors, etc. Other materialscomprising natural and/or synthetic fibers include, for example,non-woven fabrics, paddings, paper, and foams.

An aqueous composition that is contacted with a fabric can be, forexample, a fabric care composition (e.g., laundry detergent, fabricsoftener or other fabric treatment composition). Thus, a treatmentmethod in certain embodiments can be considered a fabric care method orlaundry method if employing a fabric care composition therein. A fabriccare composition herein can effect one or more of the following fabriccare benefits: improved fabric hand, improved resistance to soildeposition, improved soil release, improved colorfastness, improvedfabric wear resistance, improved wrinkle resistance, improved wrinkleremoval, improved shape retention, reduction in fabric shrinkage,pilling reduction, improved antifungal activity, improved stainresistance, improved cleaning performance when laundered, improveddrying rates, improved dye, pigment or lake update, and any combinationthereof.

Examples of conditions (e.g., time, temperature, wash/rinse volumes) forconducting a fabric care method or laundry method herein are disclosedin WO1997/003161 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,794,661, 4,580,421 and 5,945,394,which are incorporated herein by reference. In other examples, amaterial comprising fabric can be contacted with an aqueous compositionherein: (i) for at least about 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,100, 110, or 120 minutes; (ii) at a temperature of at least about 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95°C. (e.g., for laundry wash or rinse: a “cold” temperature of about15-30° C., a “warm” temperature of about 30-50° C., a “hot” temperatureof about 50-95° C.); (iii) at a pH of about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,11, or 12 (e.g., pH range of about 2-12, or about 3-11); (iv) at a salt(e.g., NaCl) concentration of at least about 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5,3.0, 3.5, or 4.0 wt %; or any combination of (i)-(iv). The contactingstep in a fabric care method or laundry method can comprise any ofwashing, soaking, and/or rinsing steps, for example.

In certain embodiments of treating a material comprising fabric, thepresent α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or the present α-glucan ethercompound component(s) of the aqueous composition adsorbs to the fabric.This feature is believed to render the compounds useful asanti-redeposition agents and/or anti-greying agents in fabric carecompositions disclosed herein (in addition to their viscosity-modifyingeffect). An anti-redeposition agent or anti-greying agent herein helpskeep soil from redepositing onto clothing in wash water after the soilhas been removed. It is further contemplated that adsorption of one ormore of the present compounds herein to a fabric enhances mechanicalproperties of the fabric.

Adsorption of the present α-glucan oligomers/polymer and/or the presentα-glucan ethers to a fabric herein can be measured following themethodology disclosed in the below Examples, for example. Alternatively,adsorption can be measured using a colorimetric technique (e.g., Duboiset al., 1956, Anal. Chem. 28:350-356; Zemljič et al., 2006, LenzingerBerichte 85:68-76; both incorporated herein by reference) or any othermethod known in the art.

Other materials that can be contacted in the above treatment methodinclude surfaces that can be treated with a dish detergent (e.g.,automatic dishwashing detergent or hand dish detergent). Examples ofsuch materials include surfaces of dishes, glasses, pots, pans, bakingdishes, utensils and flatware made from ceramic material, china, metal,glass, plastic (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, etc.)and wood (collectively referred to herein as “tableware”). Thus, thetreatment method in certain embodiments can be considered a dishwashingmethod or tableware washing method, for example. Examples of conditions(e.g., time, temperature, wash volume) for conducting a dishwashing ortableware washing method herein are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,575,083, which is incorporated herein by reference. In other examples,a tableware article can be contacted with an aqueous composition hereinunder a suitable set of conditions such as any of those disclosed abovewith regard to contacting a fabric-comprising material.

Certain embodiments of a method of treating a material herein furthercomprise a drying step, in which a material is dried after beingcontacted with the aqueous composition. A drying step can be performeddirectly after the contacting step, or following one or more additionalsteps that might follow the contacting step (e.g., drying of a fabricafter being rinsed, in water for example, following a wash in an aqueouscomposition herein). Drying can be performed by any of several meansknown in the art, such as air drying (e.g., ˜20-25° C.), or at atemperature of at least about 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140,160, 170, 175, 180, or 200° C., for example. A material that has beendried herein typically has less than 3, 2, 1, 0.5, or 0.1 wt % watercomprised therein. Fabric is a preferred material for conducting anoptional drying step.

An aqueous composition used in a treatment method herein can be anyaqueous composition disclosed herein, such as in the above embodimentsor in the below Examples. Examples of aqueous compositions includedetergents (e.g., laundry detergent or dish detergent) andwater-containing dentifrices such as toothpaste.

In another embodiment, a method to alter the viscosity of an aqueouscomposition is provided comprising contacting one or more of the presentα-glucan ether compounds with the aqueous composition, wherein thepresence of the one or more α-glucan ether compounds alters (increasesor decreases) the viscosity of the aqueous composition.

In a preferred aspect, the alteration in viscosity can be an increaseand/or decrease of at least about 1%, 10%, 100%, 1000%, 100000%, or1000000% (or any integer between 1% and 1000000%), for example, comparedto the viscosity of the aqueous composition before the contacting step.

Etherification of the Present α-Glucan Oligomers/Polymers

The following steps can be taken to prepare the above etherificationreaction.

The present α-glucan oligomers/polymers are contacted in a reactionunder alkaline conditions with at least one etherification agentcomprising an organic group. This step can be performed, for example, byfirst preparing alkaline conditions by contacting the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers with a solvent and one or more alkali hydroxides toprovide a mixture (e.g., slurry) or solution. The alkaline conditions ofthe etherification reaction can thus comprise an alkali hydroxidesolution. The pH of the alkaline conditions can be at least about 11.0,11.2, 11.4, 11.6, 11.8, 12.0, 12.2, 12.4, 12.6, 12.8, or 13.0.

Various alkali hydroxides can be used, such as sodium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, and/ortetraethylammonium hydroxide. The concentration of alkali hydroxide in apreparation with the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and a solventcan be from about 1-70 wt %, 5-50 wt %, 5-10 wt %, 10-50 wt %, 10-40 wt%, or 10-30 wt % (or any integer between 1 and 70 wt %). Alternatively,the concentration of alkali hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide can be atleast about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 wt %. An alkalihydroxide used to prepare alkaline conditions may be in a completelyaqueous solution or an aqueous solution comprising one or morewater-soluble organic solvents such as ethanol or isopropanol.Alternatively, an alkali hydroxide can be added as a solid to providealkaline conditions.

Various organic solvents that can optionally be included or used as themain solvent when preparing the etherification reaction includealcohols, acetone, dioxane, isopropanol and toluene, for example.Toluene or isopropanol can be used in certain embodiments. An organicsolvent can be added before or after addition of alkali hydroxide. Theconcentration of an organic solvent (e.g., isopropanol or toluene) in apreparation comprising the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and analkali hydroxide can be at least about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45,50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 wt % (or any integer between 10and 90 wt %).

Alternatively, solvents that can dissolve the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers can be used when preparing the etherificationreaction. These solvents include, but are not limited to, lithiumchloride (LiCl)/N,N-dimethyl-acetamide (DMAc), SO₂/diethylamine(DEA)/dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), LiCl/1,3-dimethy-2-imidazolidinone(DMI), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/N₂O₄, DMSO/tetrabutyl-ammoniumfluoride trihydrate (TBAF), N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO),Ni(tren)(OH)₂ [tren¼tris(2-aminoethyl)amine] aqueous solutions and meltsof LiClO₄.3H₂O, NaOH/urea aqueous solutions, aqueous sodium hydroxide,aqueous potassium hydroxide, formic acid, and ionic liquids.

The present α-glucan oligomers/polymers can be contacted with a solventand one or more alkali hydroxides by mixing. Such mixing can beperformed during or after adding these components with each other.Mixing can be performed by manual mixing, mixing using an overheadmixer, using a magnetic stir bar, or shaking, for example. In certainembodiments, the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers can first be mixedin water or an aqueous solution before it is mixed with a solvent and/oralkali hydroxide.

After contacting the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers, solvent, andone or more alkali hydroxides with each other, the resulting compositioncan optionally be maintained at ambient temperature for up to 14 days.The term “ambient temperature” as used herein refers to a temperaturebetween about 15-30° C. or 20-25° C. (or any integer between 15 and 30°C.). Alternatively, the composition can be heated with or without refluxat a temperature from about 30° C. to about 150° C. (or any integerbetween 30 and 150° C.) for up to about 48 hours. The composition incertain embodiments can be heated at about 55° C. for about 30 minutesor about 60 minutes. Thus, a composition obtained from mixing thepresent α-glucan oligomers/polymers, solvent, and one or more alkalihydroxides with each other can be heated at about 50, 51, 52, 53, 54,55, 56, 57, 58, 59, or 60° C. for about 30-90 minutes.

After contacting the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers, solvent, andone or more alkali hydroxides with each other, the resulting compositioncan optionally be filtered (with or without applying a temperaturetreatment step). Such filtration can be performed using a funnel,centrifuge, press filter, or any other method and/or equipment known inthe art that allows removal of liquids from solids. Though filtrationwould remove much of the alkali hydroxide, the filtered α-glucanoligomers/polymers would remain alkaline (i.e., mercerized α-glucan),thereby providing alkaline conditions.

An etherification agent comprising an organic group can be contactedwith the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers in a reaction underalkaline conditions in a method herein of producing the respectiveα-glucan ether compounds. For example, an etherification agent can beadded to a composition prepared by contacting the present α-glucanoligomers/polymers composition, solvent, and one or more alkalihydroxides with each other as described above. Alternatively, anetherification agent can be included when preparing the alkalineconditions (e.g., an etherification agent can be mixed with the presentα-glucan oligomers/polymers and solvent before mixing with alkalihydroxide).

An etherification agent herein can refer to an agent that can be used toetherify one or more hydroxyl groups of glucose monomeric units of thepresent α-glucan oligomers/polymers with an organic group as disclosedherein. Examples of organic groups include alkyl groups, hydroxy alkylgroups, and carboxy alkyl groups. One or more etherification agents maybe used in the reaction.

Etherification agents suitable for preparing an alkyl α-glucan ethercompound include, for example, dialkyl sulfates, dialkyl carbonates,alkyl halides (e.g., alkyl chloride), iodoalkanes, alkyl triflates(alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates) and alkyl fluorosulfonates. Thus,examples of etherification agents for producing methyl α-glucan ethersinclude dimethyl sulfate, dimethyl carbonate, methyl chloride,iodomethane, methyl triflate and methyl fluorosulfonate. Examples ofetherification agents for producing ethyl α-glucan ethers includediethyl sulfate, diethyl carbonate, ethyl chloride, iodoethane, ethyltriflate and ethyl fluorosulfonate. Examples of etherification agentsfor producing propyl α-glucan ethers include dipropyl sulfate, dipropylcarbonate, propyl chloride, iodopropane, propyl triflate and propylfluorosulfonate. Examples of etherification agents for producing butylα-glucan ethers include dibutyl sulfate, dibutyl carbonate, butylchloride, iodobutane and butyl triflate.

Etherification agents suitable for preparing a hydroxyalkyl α-glucanether compound include, for example, alkylene oxides such as ethyleneoxide, propylene oxide (e.g., 1,2-propylene oxide), butylene oxide(e.g., 1,2-butylene oxide; 2,3-butylene oxide; 1,4-butylene oxide), orcombinations thereof. As examples, propylene oxide can be used as anetherification agent for preparing hydroxypropyl α-glucan, and ethyleneoxide can be used as an etherification agent for preparing hydroxyethylα-glucan. Alternatively, hydroxyalkyl halides (e.g., hydroxyalkylchloride) can be used as etherification agents for preparinghydroxyalkyl α-glucan. Examples of hydroxyalkyl halides includehydroxyethyl halide, hydroxypropyl halide (e.g., 2-hydroxypropylchloride, 3-hydroxypropyl chloride) and hydroxybutyl halide.Alternatively, alkylene chlorohydrins can be used as etherificationagents for preparing hydroxyalkyl α-glucan ethers. Alkylenechlorohydrins that can be used include, but are not limited to, ethylenechlorohydrin, propylene chlorohydrin, butylene chlorohydrin, orcombinations of these.

Etherification agents suitable for preparing a dihydroxyalkyl α-glucanether compound include dihydroxyalkyl halides (e.g., dihydroxyalkylchloride) such as dihydroxyethyl halide, dihydroxypropyl halide (e.g.,2,3-dihydroxypropyl chloride [i.e., 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol]), ordihydroxybutyl halide, for example. 2,3-dihydroxypropyl chloride can beused to prepare dihydroxypropyl α-glucan ethers, for example.

Etherification agents suitable for preparing a carboxyalkyl α-glucanether compounds may include haloalkylates (e.g., chloroalkylate).Examples of haloalkylates include haloacetate (e.g., chloroacetate),3-halopropionate (e.g., 3-chloropropionate) and 4-halobutyrate (e.g.,4-chlorobutyrate). For example, chloroacetate (monochloroacetate) (e.g.,sodium chloroacetate) can be used as an etherification agent to preparecarboxymethyl α-glucan. An etherification agent herein can alternativelycomprise a positively charged organic group.

An etherification agent in certain embodiments can etherify α-glucanoligomers/polymers with a positively charged organic group, where thecarbon chain of the positively charged organic group only has asubstitution with a positively charged group (e.g., substituted ammoniumgroup such as trimethylammonium). Examples of such etherification agentsinclude dialkyl sulfates, dialkyl carbonates, alkyl halides (e.g., alkylchloride), iodoalkanes, alkyl triflates (alkyltrifluoromethanesulfonates) and alkyl fluorosulfonates, where the alkylgroup(s) of each of these agents has one or more substitutions with apositively charged group (e.g., substituted ammonium group such astrimethylammonium). Other examples of such etherification agents includedimethyl sulfate, dimethyl carbonate, methyl chloride, iodomethane,methyl triflate and methyl fluorosulfonate, where the methyl group(s) ofeach of these agents has a substitution with a positively charged group(e.g., substituted ammonium group such as trimethylammonium). Otherexamples of such etherification agents include diethyl sulfate, diethylcarbonate, ethyl chloride, iodoethane, ethyl triflate and ethylfluorosulfonate, where the ethyl group(s) of each of these agents has asubstitution with a positively charged group (e.g., substituted ammoniumgroup such as trimethylammonium). Other examples of such etherificationagents include dipropyl sulfate, dipropyl carbonate, propyl chloride,iodopropane, propyl triflate and propyl fluorosulfonate, where thepropyl group(s) of each of these agents has one or more substitutionswith a positively charged group (e.g., substituted ammonium group suchas trimethylammonium). Other examples of such etherification agentsinclude dibutyl sulfate, dibutyl carbonate, butyl chloride, iodobutaneand butyl triflate, where the butyl group(s) of each of these agents hasone or more substitutions with a positively charged group (e.g.,substituted ammonium group such as trimethylammonium).

An etherification agent alternatively may be one that can etherify thepresent α-glucan oligomers/polymers with a positively charged organicgroup, where the carbon chain of the positively charged organic grouphas a substitution (e.g., hydroxyl group) in addition to a substitutionwith a positively charged group (e.g., substituted ammonium group suchas trimethylammonium). Examples of such etherification agents includehydroxyalkyl halides (e.g., hydroxyalkyl chloride) such as hydroxypropylhalide and hydroxybutyl halide, where a terminal carbon of each of theseagents has a substitution with a positively charged group (e.g.,substituted ammonium group such as trimethylammonium); an example is3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-trimethylammonium. Other examples of suchetherification agents include alkylene oxides such as propylene oxide(e.g., 1,2-propylene oxide) and butylene oxide (e.g., 1,2-butyleneoxide; 2,3-butylene oxide), where a terminal carbon of each of theseagents has a substitution with a positively charged group (e.g.,substituted ammonium group such as trimethylammonium).

A substituted ammonium group comprised in any of the foregoingetherification agent examples can be a primary, secondary, tertiary, orquaternary ammonium group. Examples of secondary, tertiary andquaternary ammonium groups are represented in structure I, where R₂, R₃and R₄ each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl groupsuch as a methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl group. Etherification agentsherein typically can be provided as a fluoride, chloride, bromide, oriodide salt (where each of the foregoing halides serve as an anion).

When producing the present α-glucan ether compounds with two or moredifferent organic groups, two or more different etherification agentswould be used, accordingly. For example, both an alkylene oxide and analkyl chloride could be used as etherification agents to produce analkyl hydroxyalkyl α-glucan ether. Any of the etherification agentsdisclosed herein may therefore be combined to produce α-glucan ethercompounds with two or more different organic groups. Such two or moreetherification agents may be used in the reaction at the same time, ormay be used sequentially in the reaction. When used sequentially, any ofthe temperature-treatment (e.g., heating) steps disclosed below mayoptionally be used between each addition. One may choose sequentialintroduction of etherification agents in order to control the desiredDoS of each organic group. In general, a particular etherification agentwould be used first if the organic group it forms in the ether productis desired at a higher DoS compared to the DoS of another organic groupto be added.

The amount of etherification agent to be contacted with the presentα-glucan oligomers/polymers in a reaction under alkaline conditions canbe determined based on the DoS required in the α-glucan ether compoundbeing produced. The amount of ether substitution groups on each glucosemonomeric unit in α-glucan ether compounds produced herein can bedetermined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Themolar substitution (MS) value for α-glucan has no upper limit. Ingeneral, an etherification agent can be used in a quantity of at leastabout 0.05 mole per mole of α-glucan. There is no upper limit to thequantity of etherification agent that can be used.

Reactions for producing α-glucan ether compounds herein can optionallybe carried out in a pressure vessel such as a Parr reactor, anautoclave, a shaker tube or any other pressure vessel well known in theart. A reaction herein can optionally be heated following the step ofcontacting the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers with anetherification agent under alkaline conditions. The reactiontemperatures and time of applying such temperatures can be varied withinwide limits. For example, a reaction can optionally be maintained atambient temperature for up to 14 days. Alternatively, a reaction can beheated, with or without reflux, between about 25° C. to about 200° C.(or any integer between 25 and 200° C.). Reaction time can be variedcorrespondingly: more time at a low temperature and less time at a hightemperature.

In certain embodiments of producing carboxymethyl α-glucan ethers, areaction can be heated to about 55° C. for about 3 hours. Thus, areaction for preparing a carboxyalkyl α-glucan ether herein can beheated to about 50° C. to about 60° C. (or any integer between 50 and60° C.) for about 2 hours to about 5 hours, for example. Etherificationagents such as a haloacetate (e.g., monochloroacetate) may be used inthese embodiments, for example.

Optionally, an etherification reaction herein can be maintained under aninert gas, with or without heating. As used herein, the term “inert gas”refers to a gas which does not undergo chemical reactions under a set ofgiven conditions, such as those disclosed for preparing a reactionherein.

All of the components of the reactions disclosed herein can be mixedtogether at the same time and brought to the desired reactiontemperature, whereupon the temperature is maintained with or withoutstirring until the desired α-glucan ether compound is formed.Alternatively, the mixed components can be left at ambient temperatureas described above.

Following etherification, the pH of a reaction can be neutralized.Neutralization of a reaction can be performed using one or more acids.The term “neutral pH” as used herein, refers to a pH that is neithersubstantially acidic or basic (e.g., a pH of about 6-8, or about 6.0,6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, 7.8, or 8.0). Various acids thatcan be used for this purpose include, but are not limited to, sulfuric,acetic (e.g., glacial acetic), hydrochloric, nitric, any mineral(inorganic) acid, any organic acid, or any combination of these acids.

The present α-glucan ether compounds produced in a reaction herein canoptionally be washed one or more times with a liquid that does notreadily dissolve the compound. For example, α-glucan ether can typicallybe washed with alcohol, acetone, aromatics, or any combination of these,depending on the solubility of the ether compound therein (where lack ofsolubility is desirable for washing). In general, a solvent comprisingan organic solvent such as alcohol is preferred for washing an α-glucanether. The present α-glucan ether product(s) can be washed one or moretimes with an aqueous solution containing methanol or ethanol, forexample. For example, 70-95 wt % ethanol can be used to wash theproduct. The present α-glucan ether product can be washed with amethanol:acetone (e.g., 60:40) solution in another embodiment.

An α-glucan ether produced in the disclosed reaction can be isolated.This step can be performed before or after neutralization and/or washingsteps using a funnel, centrifuge, press filter, or any other method orequipment known in the art that allows removal of liquids from solids.An isolated α-glucan ether product can be dried using any method knownin the art, such as vacuum drying, air drying, or freeze drying.

Any of the above etherification reactions can be repeated using anα-glucan ether product as the starting material for furthermodification. This approach may be suitable for increasing the DoS of anorganic group, and/or adding one or more different organic groups to theether product.

The structure, molecular weight and DoS of the α-glucan ether productcan be confirmed using various physiochemical analyses known in the artsuch as NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC).

Personal Care and/or Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising the PresentSoluble Oligomer/Polymer

The present glucan oligomer/polymers and/or the present α-glucan ethersmay be used in personal care products. For example, one may be able touse such materials as humectants, hydrocolloids or possibly thickeningagents. The present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/or the presentα-glucan ethers may be used in conjunction with one or more other typesof thickening agents if desired, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 8,541,041, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Personal care products herein are not particularly limited and include,for example, skin care compositions, cosmetic compositions, antifungalcompositions, and antibacterial compositions. Personal care productsherein may be in the form of, for example, lotions, creams, pastes,balms, ointments, pomades, gels, liquids, combinations of these and thelike. The personal care products disclosed herein can include at leastone active ingredient. An active ingredient is generally recognized asan ingredient that causes the intended pharmacological effect.

In certain embodiments, a skin care product can be applied to skin foraddressing skin damage related to a lack of moisture. A skin careproduct may also be used to address the visual appearance of skin (e.g.,reduce the appearance of flaky, cracked, and/or red skin) and/or thetactile feel of the skin (e.g., reduce roughness and/or dryness of theskin while improved the softness and subtleness of the skin). A skincare product typically may include at least one active ingredient forthe treatment or prevention of skin ailments, providing a cosmeticeffect, or for providing a moisturizing benefit to skin, such as zincoxide, petrolatum, white petrolatum, mineral oil, cod liver oil,lanolin, dimethicone, hard fat, vitamin A, allantoin, calamine, kaolin,glycerin, or colloidal oatmeal, and combinations of these. A skin careproduct may include one or more natural moisturizing factors such asceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, amino acids,cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids,glycosphingolipids, urea, linoleic acid, glycosaminoglycans,mucopolysaccharide, sodium lactate, or sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate,for example. Other ingredients that may be included in a skin careproduct include, without limitation, glycerides, apricot kernel oil,canola oil, squalane, squalene, coconut oil, corn oil, jojoba oil,jojoba wax, lecithin, olive oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, shea butter,soybean oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, tea tree oil, shea butter,palm oil, cholesterol, cholesterol esters, wax esters, fatty acids, andorange oil.

A personal care product herein can also be in the form of makeup orother product including, but not limited to, a lipstick, mascara, rouge,foundation, blush, eyeliner, lip liner, lip gloss, other cosmetics,sunscreen, sun block, nail polish, mousse, hair spray, styling gel, nailconditioner, bath gel, shower gel, body wash, face wash, shampoo, hairconditioner (leave-in or rinse-out), cream rinse, hair dye, haircoloring product, hair shine product, hair serum, hair anti-frizzproduct, hair split-end repair product, lip balm, skin conditioner, coldcream, moisturizer, body spray, soap, body scrub, exfoliant, astringent,scruffing lotion, depilatory, permanent waving solution, antidandruffformulation, antiperspirant composition, deodorant, shaving product,pre-shaving product, after-shaving product, cleanser, skin gel, rinse,toothpaste, or mouthwash, for example.

A pharmaceutical product herein can be in the form of an emulsion,liquid, elixir, gel, suspension, solution, cream, capsule, tablet,sachet or ointment, for example. Also, a pharmaceutical product hereincan be in the form of any of the personal care products disclosedherein. A pharmaceutical product can further comprise one or morepharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, and/or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts. The present α-glucan oligomers/polymers and/orcompositions comprising the present α-glucan oligomers/polymers can alsobe used in capsules, encapsulants, tablet coatings, and as excipientsfor medicaments and drugs.

Enzymatic Synthesis of the Soluble α-Glucan Oligomer/Polymer Composition

Methods are provided to enzymatically produce a soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition. In one embodiment, the method comprisesthe use of at least one recombinantly produced glucosyltransferasebelong to glucoside hydrolase type 70 (E.C. 2.4.1.-) capable ofcatalyzing the synthesis of a digestion resistant soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition using sucrose as a substrate. Glycosidehydrolase family 70 enzymes are transglucosidases produced by lacticacid bacteria such as Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Weisella orLactobacillus genera (see Carbohydrate Active Enzymes database; “CAZy”;Cantarel et al., (2009) Nucleic Acids Res 37:D233-238). Therecombinantly expressed glucosyltransferases preferably have an aminoacid sequence identical to that found in nature (i.e., the same as thefull length sequence as found in the source organism or a catalyticallyactive truncation thereof).

The GTF enzymes are able to polymerize the D-glucosyl units of sucroseto form homooligosaccharides or homopolysaccharides. Depending upon thespecificity of the GTF enzyme, linear and/or branched glucans comprisingvarious glycosidic linkages may be formed such as α-(1,2), α-(1,3),α-(1,4) and α-(1,6). Glucosyltransferases may also transfer theD-glucosyl units onto hydroxyl acceptor groups. A non-limiting list ofacceptors may include carbohydrates, alcohols, polyols or flavonoids.The structure of the resultant glucosylated product is dependent uponthe enzyme specificity.

In the present disclosure, the D-glucopyranosyl donor is sucrose.

As such the reaction is:Sucrose+GTF

α-D-(Glucose)_(n)+D-Fructose+GTF

The type of glycosidic linkage predominantly formed is used toname/classify the glucosyltransferase enzyme. Examples includedextransucrases (α-(1,6) linkages; EC 2.4.1.5), mutansucrases (α-(1,3)linkages; EC 2.4.1.-), alternansucrases (alternating α(1,3)-α(1,6)backbone; EC 2.4.1.140), and reuteransucrases (mix of α-(1,4) andα-(1,6) linkages; EC 2.4.1.-).

In one aspect, the glucosyltransferase (GTF) is capable of formingglucans having 25-35% or more α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages with theproviso that that glucan product is not alternan (i.e., the enzyme isnot an alternansucrase). In a preferred aspect, the glucosyltransferaseis a mutansucrase (EC 2.4.1.-).

In one aspect, the glucosyltransferase comprises an amino acid sequenceselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:10, 12 and combinationsthereof (including the mature glucosyltransferases with the signalpeptide removed). However, it should be noted that some wild typesequences may be found in nature in a truncated form. As such, and in afurther embodiment, the glucosyltransferase suitable for use may be atruncated form of the wild type sequence. In a further embodiment, thetruncated glucosyltransferase comprises a sequence derived from the fulllength wild type amino acid SEQ ID NO: 10. In another embodiment, theglucosyltransferase may be truncated and will have an amino acidsequence SEQ ID NO: 12.

The concentration of the catalyst in the aqueous reaction formulationdepends on the specific catalytic activity of the catalyst, and ischosen to obtain the desired rate of reaction. The weight of eachcatalyst (either a single glucosyltransferase or individually aglucosyltransferase and α-glucanohydrolase) reactions typically rangesfrom 0.0001 mg to 20 mg per mL of total reaction volume, preferably from0.001 mg to 10 mg per mL. The catalyst may also be immobilized on asoluble or insoluble support using methods well-known to those skilledin the art; see for example, Immobilization of Enzymes and Cells; GordonF. Bickerstaff, Editor; Humana Press, Totowa, N.J., USA; 1997. The useof immobilized catalysts permits the recovery and reuse of the catalystin subsequent reactions. The enzyme catalyst may be in the form of wholemicrobial cells, permeabilized microbial cells, microbial cell extracts,partially-purified or purified enzymes, and mixtures thereof.

The pH of the final reaction formulation is from about 3 to about 8,preferably from about 4 to about 8, more preferably from about 5 toabout 8, even more preferably about 5.5 to about 7.5, and yet even morepreferably about 5.5 to about 6.5. The pH of the reaction may optionallybe controlled by the addition of a suitable buffer including, but notlimited to, phosphate, pyrophosphate, bicarbonate, acetate, or citrate.The concentration of buffer, when employed, is typically from 0.1 mM to1.0 M, preferably from 1 mM to 300 mM, most preferably from 10 mM to 100mM.

The sucrose concentration initially present when the reaction componentsare combined is at least 50 g/L, preferably 50 g/L to 500 g/L, morepreferably 100 g/L to 500 g/L, more preferably 150 g/L to 450 g/L, andmost preferably 250 g/L to 450 g/L. The substrate for theα-glucanohydrolase (when present) will be the members of the glucoseoligomer population formed by the glucosyltransferase. As the glucoseoligomers present in the reaction system may act as acceptors, the exactconcentration of each species present in the reaction system will vary.Additionally, other acceptors may be added (i.e., external acceptors) tothe initial reaction mixture such as maltose, isomaltose,isomaltotriose, and methyl-α-D-glucan, to name a few.

The length of the reaction may vary and may often be determined by theamount of time it takes to use all of the available sucrose substrate.In one embodiment, the reaction is conducted until at least 90%,preferably at least 95% and most preferably at least 99% of the sucroseinitially present in the reaction mixture is consumed. In anotherembodiment, the reaction time is 1 hour to 168 hours, preferably 1 hourto 120 hours, and most preferably 1 hour to 72 hours.

Soluble Glucan Fiber Synthesis—Reaction Systems Comprising aGlucosyltransferase (Gtf) and an α-Glucanohydrolase

A method is provided to enzymatically produce the present soluble glucanoligomer/polymers using at least one α-glucanohydrolase in combination(i.e., concomitantly in the reaction mixture) with at least one of theabove glucosyltransferases. The simultaneous use of the two enzymesproduces a different product profile (i.e., the profile of the solubleoligomer/polymer composition) when compared to a sequential applicationof the same enzymes (i.e., first synthesizing the glucan polymer fromsucrose using a glucosyltransferase and then subsequently treating theglucan polymer with an α-glucanohydrolase). In one embodiment, a glucanoligomer/polymer synthesis method based on sequential application of aglucosyltransferase with an α-glucanohydrolase is specifically excluded.

Similar to the glucosyltransferases, an α-glucanohydrolase may bedefined by the endohydrolysis activity towards certain α-D-glycosidiclinkages. Examples may include, but are not limited to, dextranases(capable of hydrolyzing α-(1,6)-linked glycosidic bonds; E.C. 3.2.1.11),mutanases (capable of hydrolyzing α-(1,3)-linked glycosidic bonds; E.C.3.2.1.59), mycodextranases (capable of endohydrolysis of(1→4)-α-D-glucosidic linkages in α-D-glucans containing both (1→3)- and(1→4)-bonds; EC 3.2.1.61), glucan 1,6-α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.70), andalternanases (capable of endohydrolytically cleaving alternan; E.C.3.2.1.-; see U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,196). Various factors including, butnot limited to, level of branching, the type of branching, and therelative branch length within certain α-glucans may adversely impact theability of an α-glucanohydrolase to endohydrolyze some glycosidiclinkages.

In one embodiment, the α-glucanohydrolase is a dextranase (EC 2.1.1.11),a mutanase (EC 3.1.1.59) or a combination thereof. In one embodiment,the dextranase is a food grade dextranase from Chaetomium erraticum. Ina further embodiment, the dextranase from Chaetomium erraticum isDEXTRANASE® PLUS L, available from Novozymes A/S, Denmark.

In another embodiment, the α-glucanohydrolase is at least one mutanase(EC 3.1.1.59). In one embodiment, the mutanase is one obtainable fromthe genera Penicillium, Paenibacillus, Hypocrea, Aspergillus, andTrichoderma. In a further embodiment, the mutanase is from Penicilliummarneffei ATCC 18224 or Paenibacillus humicus. In one embodiment, thepolypeptide having mutanase activity comprises at least 90% identity,preferably 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identity, to atleast one of the mutanase sequences described herein. In one embodiment,the polypeptide having mutanase activity comprises at least 90%identity, preferably 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100%identity, to SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 6 or 8. In one embodiment, the mutanasecomprises an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs 1, 3, 6, 8 andany combination thereof when used in combination with the aboveglucosyltransferases In yet a further embodiment, the mutanase comprisesan amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 6, and anycombination thereof. In a further embodiment, the mutanase comprises SEQID NO: 3. In another embodiment, the above mutanases may be acatalytically active truncation so long as the mutanase activity isretained

The temperature of the enzymatic reaction system comprising concomitantuse of at least one glucosyltransferase and at least oneα-glucanohydrolase may be chosen to control both the reaction rate andthe stability of the enzyme catalyst activity. The temperature of thereaction may range from just above the freezing point of the reactionformulation (approximately 0° C.) to about 60° C., with a preferredrange of 5° C. to about 55° C., and a more preferred range of reactiontemperature of from about 20° C. to about 45° C.

The ratio of glucosyltransferase activity to α-glucanohydrolase activitymay vary depending upon the selected enzymes. In one embodiment, theratio of glucosyltransferase activity to α-glucanohydrolase activityranges from 1:0.01 to 0.01:1.0.

In one embodiment, a method is provided to produce a soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition comprising:

-   -   a. providing a set of reaction components comprising:        -   i. sucrose;        -   ii. at least one polypeptide having glucosyltransferase            activity; said polypeptide having at least 90% identity to            SEQ ID NO: 10 or 12;        -   iii. at least one polypeptide having α-glucanohydrolase            activity; said polypeptide selected from the group of:            -   1. a polypeptide having mutanase activity, said                polypeptide having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1                or 3;            -   2. a polypeptide comprising dextranase activity; and            -   3. a combination of 1 and 2; and        -   iv. optionally one more acceptors;    -   b. combining under suitable reaction conditions the set of        reaction components of (a) whereby a product comprising a        soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition is produced; and    -   c. optionally isolating the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer        composition from the product of step (b).

In a preferred embodiment, the at least one glucosyltransferase and theat least one α-glucanohydrolase are concomitantly present in thereaction to produce the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition.

Methods to Identify Substantially Similar Enzymes Having the DesiredActivity

The skilled artisan recognizes that substantially similar enzymesequences may also be used in the present compositions and methods solong as the desired activity is retained (i.e., glucosyltransferaseactivity capable of forming glucans having the desired glycosidiclinkages or α-glucanohydrolases having endohydrolytic activity towardsthe target glycosidic linkage(s)). For example, it has been demonstratedthat catalytically activity truncations may be prepared and used so longas the desired activity is retained (or even improved in terms ofspecific activity). In one embodiment, substantially similar sequencesare defined by their ability to hybridize, under highly stringentconditions with the nucleic acid molecules associated with sequencesexemplified herein. In another embodiment, sequence alignment algorithmsmay be used to define substantially similar enzymes based on the percentidentity to the DNA or amino acid sequences provided herein.

As used herein, a nucleic acid molecule is “hybridizable” to anothernucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA, genomic DNA, or RNA, when asingle strand of the first molecule can anneal to the other moleculeunder appropriate conditions of temperature and solution ionic strength.Hybridization and washing conditions are well known and exemplified inSambrook, J. and Russell, D., T. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual,Third Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor(2001). The conditions of temperature and ionic strength determine the“stringency” of the hybridization. Stringency conditions can be adjustedto screen for moderately similar molecules, such as homologous sequencesfrom distantly related organisms, to highly similar molecules, such asgenes that duplicate functional enzymes from closely related organisms.Post-hybridization washes typically determine stringency conditions. Oneset of preferred conditions uses a series of washes starting with 6×SSC,0.5% SDS at room temperature for 15 min, then repeated with 2×SSC, 0.5%SDS at 45° C. for 30 min, and then repeated twice with 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDSat 50° C. for 30 min. A more preferred set of conditions uses highertemperatures in which the washes are identical to those above except forthe temperature of the final two 30 min washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS wasincreased to 60° C. Another preferred set of highly stringenthybridization conditions is 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C. and washed with2×SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by a final wash of 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65° C.

Hybridization requires that the two nucleic acids contain complementarysequences, although depending on the stringency of the hybridization,mismatches between bases are possible. The appropriate stringency forhybridizing nucleic acids depends on the length of the nucleic acids andthe degree of complementation, variables well known in the art. Thegreater the degree of similarity or homology between two nucleotidesequences, the greater the value of Tm for hybrids of nucleic acidshaving those sequences. The relative stability (corresponding to higherTm) of nucleic acid hybridizations decreases in the following order:RNA:RNA, DNA:RNA, DNA:DNA. For hybrids of greater than 100 nucleotidesin length, equations for calculating Tm have been derived (Sambrook, J.and Russell, D., T., supra). For hybridizations with shorter nucleicacids, i.e., oligonucleotides, the position of mismatches becomes moreimportant, and the length of the oligonucleotide determines itsspecificity. In one aspect, the length for a hybridizable nucleic acidis at least about 10 nucleotides. Preferably, a minimum length for ahybridizable nucleic acid is at least about 15 nucleotides in length,more preferably at least about 20 nucleotides in length, even morepreferably at least 30 nucleotides in length, even more preferably atleast 300 nucleotides in length, and most preferably at least 800nucleotides in length. Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognizethat the temperature and wash solution salt concentration may beadjusted as necessary according to factors such as length of the probe.

As used herein, the term “percent identity” is a relationship betweentwo or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotidesequences, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art,“identity” also means the degree of sequence relatedness betweenpolypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, asdetermined by the match between strings of such sequences. “Identity”and “similarity” can be readily calculated by known methods, includingbut not limited to those described in: Computational Molecular Biology(Lesk, A. M., ed.) Oxford University Press, NY (1988); Biocomputing:Informatics and Genome Projects (Smith, D. W., ed.) Academic Press, NY(1993); Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I (Griffin, A. M., andGriffin, H. G., eds.) Humana Press, NJ (1994); Sequence Analysis inMolecular Biology (von Heinje, G., ed.) Academic Press (1987); andSequence Analysis Primer (Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds.) StocktonPress, NY (1991). Methods to determine identity and similarity arecodified in publicly available computer programs. Sequence alignmentsand percent identity calculations may be performed using the Megalignprogram of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc.,Madison, Wis.), the AlignX program of Vector NTI v. 7.0 (Informax, Inc.,Bethesda, Md.), or the EMBOSS Open Software Suite (EMBL-EBI; Rice etal., Trends in Genetics 16, (6):276-277 (2000)). Multiple alignment ofthe sequences can be performed using the CLUSTAL method (such asCLUSTALW; for example version 1.83) of alignment (Higgins and Sharp,CABIOS, 5:151-153 (1989); Higgins et al., Nucleic Acids Res.22:4673-4680 (1994); and Chenna et al., Nucleic Acids Res 31(13):3497-500 (2003)), available from the European Molecular BiologyLaboratory via the European Bioinformatics Institute) with the defaultparameters. Suitable parameters for CLUSTALW protein alignments includeGAP Existence penalty=15, GAP extension=0.2, matrix=Gonnet (e.g.,Gonnet250), protein ENDGAP=−1, protein GAPDIST=4, and KTUPLE=1. In oneembodiment, a fast or slow alignment is used with the default settingswhere a slow alignment is preferred. Alternatively, the parameters usingthe CLUSTALW method (e.g., version 1.83) may be modified to also useKTUPLE=1, GAP PENALTY=10, GAP extension=1, matrix=BLOSUM (e.g.,BLOSUM64), WINDOW=5, and TOP DIAGONALS SAVED=5.

In one aspect, suitable isolated nucleic acid molecules encode apolypeptide having an amino acid sequence that is at least about 20%,preferably at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acidsequences reported herein. In another aspect, suitable isolated nucleicacid molecules encode a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence thatis at least about 20%, preferably at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%,85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical tothe amino acid sequences reported herein; with the proviso that thepolypeptide retains the respective activity (i.e., glucosyltransferaseor α-glucanohydrolase activity).

Methods to Obtain the Enzymatically-Produced Soluble α-GlucanOligomer/Polymer Composition

Any number of common purification techniques may be used to obtain thepresent soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition from the reactionsystem including, but not limited to centrifugation, filtration,fractionation, chromatographic separation, dialysis, evaporation,precipitation, dilution or any combination thereof, preferably bydialysis or chromatographic separation, most preferably by dialysis(ultrafiltration).

Recombinant Microbial Expression

The genes and gene products of the instant sequences may be produced inheterologous host cells, particularly in the cells of microbial hosts.Preferred heterologous host cells for expression of the instant genesand nucleic acid molecules are microbial hosts that can be found withinthe fungal or bacterial families and which grow over a wide range oftemperature, pH values, and solvent tolerances. For example, it iscontemplated that any of bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi maysuitably host the expression of the present nucleic acid molecules. Theenzyme(s) may be expressed intracellularly, extracellularly, or acombination of both intracellularly and extracellularly, whereextracellular expression renders recovery of the desired protein from afermentation product more facile than methods for recovery of proteinproduced by intracellular expression. Transcription, translation and theprotein biosynthetic apparatus remain invariant relative to the cellularfeedstock used to generate cellular biomass; functional genes will beexpressed regardless. Examples of host strains include, but are notlimited to, bacterial, fungal or yeast species such as Aspergillus,Trichoderma, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Phaffia, Kluyveromyces, Candida,Hansenula, Yarrowia, Salmonella, Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Zymomonas,Agrobacterium, Erythrobacter, Chlorobium, Chromatium, Flavobacterium,Cytophaga, Rhodobacter, Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium,Corynebacteria, Mycobacterium, Deinococcus, Escherichia, Erwinia,Pantoea, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Methylomonas, Methylobacter,Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylomicrobium, Methylocystis,Alcaligenes, Synechocystis, Synechococcus, Anabaena, Thiobacillus,Methanobacterium, Klebsiella, and Myxococcus. In one embodiment, thefungal host cell is Trichoderma, preferably a strain of Trichodermareesei. In one embodiment, bacterial host strains include Escherichia,Bacillus, Kluyveromyces, and Pseudomonas. In a preferred embodiment, thebacterial host cell is Bacillus subtilis or Escherichia coli.

Large-scale microbial growth and functional gene expression may use awide range of simple or complex carbohydrates, organic acids andalcohols or saturated hydrocarbons, such as methane or carbon dioxide inthe case of photosynthetic or chemoautotrophic hosts, the form andamount of nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, oxygen, carbon or any tracemicronutrient including small inorganic ions. The regulation of growthrate may be affected by the addition, or not, of specific regulatorymolecules to the culture and which are not typically considered nutrientor energy sources.

Vectors or cassettes useful for the transformation of suitable hostcells are well known in the art. Typically the vector or cassettecontains sequences directing transcription and translation of therelevant gene, a selectable marker, and sequences allowing autonomousreplication or chromosomal integration. Suitable vectors comprise aregion 5′ of the gene which harbors transcriptional initiation controlsand a region 3′ of the DNA fragment which controls transcriptionaltermination. It is most preferred when both control regions are derivedfrom genes homologous to the transformed host cell and/or native to theproduction host, although such control regions need not be so derived.

Initiation control regions or promoters which are useful to driveexpression of the present cephalosporin C deacetylase coding region inthe desired host cell are numerous and familiar to those skilled in theart. Virtually any promoter capable of driving these genes is suitableincluding but not limited to, CYC1, HIS3, GAL1, GAL10, ADH1, PGK, PHO5,GAPDH, ADC1, TRP1, URA3, LEU2, ENO, TPI (useful for expression inSaccharomyces); AOX1 (useful for expression in Pichia); and lac, araB,tet, trp, IP_(L), IP_(R), T7, tac, and trc (useful for expression inEscherichia coli) as well as the amy, apr, npr promoters and variousphage promoters useful for expression in Bacillus.

Termination control regions may also be derived from various genesnative to the preferred host cell. In one embodiment, the inclusion of atermination control region is optional. In another embodiment, thechimeric gene includes a termination control region derived from thepreferred host cell.

Industrial Production

A variety of culture methodologies may be applied to produce theenzyme(s). For example, large-scale production of a specific geneproduct over-expressed from a recombinant microbial host may be producedby batch, fed-batch, and continuous culture methodologies. Batch andfed-batch culturing methods are common and well known in the art andexamples may be found in Biotechnology: A Textbook of IndustrialMicrobiology by Wulf Crueger and Anneliese Crueger (authors), SecondEdition, (Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland, Mass. (1990) and Manualof Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, Third Edition, Richard H.Baltz, Arnold L. Demain, and Julian E. Davis (Editors), (ASM Press,Washington, D.C. (2010).

Commercial production of the desired enzyme(s) may also be accomplishedwith a continuous culture. Continuous cultures are an open system wherea defined culture media is added continuously to a bioreactor and anequal amount of conditioned media is removed simultaneously forprocessing. Continuous cultures generally maintain the cells at aconstant high liquid phase density where cells are primarily in logphase growth. Alternatively, continuous culture may be practiced withimmobilized cells where carbon and nutrients are continuously added andvaluable products, by-products or waste products are continuouslyremoved from the cell mass. Cell immobilization may be performed using awide range of solid supports composed of natural and/or syntheticmaterials.

Recovery of the desired enzyme(s) from a batch fermentation, fed-batchfermentation, or continuous culture, may be accomplished by any of themethods that are known to those skilled in the art. For example, whenthe enzyme catalyst is produced intracellularly, the cell paste isseparated from the culture medium by centrifugation or membranefiltration, optionally washed with water or an aqueous buffer at adesired pH, then a suspension of the cell paste in an aqueous buffer ata desired pH is homogenized to produce a cell extract containing thedesired enzyme catalyst. The cell extract may optionally be filteredthrough an appropriate filter aid such as celite or silica to removecell debris prior to a heat-treatment step to precipitate undesiredprotein from the enzyme catalyst solution. The solution containing thedesired enzyme catalyst may then be separated from the precipitated celldebris and protein by membrane filtration or centrifugation, and theresulting partially-purified enzyme catalyst solution concentrated byadditional membrane filtration, then optionally mixed with anappropriate carrier (for example, maltodextrin, phosphate buffer,citrate buffer, or mixtures thereof) and spray-dried to produce a solidpowder comprising the desired enzyme catalyst. Alternatively, theresulting partially-purified enzyme catalyst solution can be stabilizedas a liquid formulation by the addition of polyols such as maltodextrin,sorbitol, or propylene glycol, to which is optionally added apreservative such as sorbic acid, sodium sorbate or sodium benzoate.

When an amount, concentration, or other value or parameter is giveneither as a range, preferred range, or a list of upper preferable valuesand lower preferable values, this is to be understood as specificallydisclosing all ranges formed from any pair of any upper range limit orpreferred value and any lower range limit or preferred value, regardlessof whether ranges are separately disclosed. Where a range of numericalvalues is recited herein, unless otherwise stated, the range is intendedto include the endpoints thereof, and all integers and fractions withinthe range. It is not intended that the scope be limited to the specificvalues recited when defining a range.

Description of Certain Embodiments

In a first embodiment (the “first embodiment”), a soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition is provided, said soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition comprising:

-   -   a. 25-35 α-(1,3) glycosidic linkages, preferably 27-31% α-(1,3)        glycosidic linkages;    -   b. 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages; preferable 55-65%, more        preferably 57-61% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages;    -   c. 5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages; preferably 7-11%        α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages;    -   d. a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000 Daltons;        preferably less than 2500 Daltons, more preferably between 500        and 2500 Daltons, and most preferably about 500 to about 2000        Daltons;    -   e. a viscosity of less than 250 cP (0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s)),        preferably less than 10 cP (0.01 (Pa·s), preferably less than 7        cP (0.007 Pa·s), more preferably less than 5 cP (0.005 Pa·s),        more preferably less than 4 cP (0.004 Pa·s), and most preferably        less than 3 cP (0.003 Pa·s) at 12 wt % in water at 20° C.    -   f. a solubility of at least 20% (w/w), preferably at least 30%,        40%, 50%, 60%, or 70%, in water at 25° C.; and    -   g. a polydispersity index of less than 5.

In second embodiment, a fabric care, laundry care, or aqueouscomposition is provided comprising 0.01 to 99 wt % (dry solids basis),preferably 10 to 90% wt %, of the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition described above.

In another embodiment, a method to produce a soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition is provided comprising:

a. providing a set of reaction components comprising:

-   -   i. sucrose; preferably at an initial concentration of at least        50 g/L, more preferably at least 200 g/L;    -   ii. at least one polypeptide having glucosyltransferase        activity; said polypeptide having at least 90% identity,        preferably 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identity        to SEQ ID NO: 10 or 12;    -   iii. at least one polypeptide having α-glucanohydrolase        activity; said polypeptide selected from the group of:        -   1. a polypeptide having mutanase activity, said polypeptide            having at least 90% identity, preferably at least 91, 92,            93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 or 100% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1,            3, 6 or 8;        -   2. a polypeptide comprising dextranase activity; preferably            dextranase activity from Chaetomium erraticum; more            preferably dextranase L from Chaetomium erraticum; and        -   3. a combination of 1 and 2; and    -   iv. optionally one more acceptors;

b. combining under suitable reaction conditions the set of reactioncomponents of (a) whereby a product comprising a soluble α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition is produced; preferably wherein thepolypeptide having glucosyltransferase activity and the polypeptidehaving α-glucanohydrolase activity are concomitantly present in thereaction mixture; and

c. optionally isolating the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition from the product of step (b); preferably wherein theisolating step (c) is present.

In another embodiment, the above method is used to produce the α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition of the first embodiment.

A composition or method according to any of the above embodimentswherein the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition comprises lessthan 4%, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1%, and mostpreferably less than 0.5% α-(1,4) glycosidic linkages.

A composition or method according to any of the above embodimentswherein the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition ischaracterized by a number average molecular weight (Mn) between 400 and2500 g/mol.

A composition or method according to any of the above embodimentswherein the α-glucanohydrolase is an endomutanase and theglucosyltransferase is a mutansucrase.

A composition comprising 0.01 to 99 wt % (dry solids basis) of thepresent soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition and at least oneof the following ingredients: at least one cellulase, at least oneprotease or a combination thereof.

A method according to any of the above embodiments wherein the isolatingstep comprises at least one of centrifugation, filtration,fractionation, chromatographic separation, dialysis, evaporation,dilution or any combination thereof.

A method according to any of the above embodiments wherein the ratio ofglucosyltransferase activity to α-glucanohydrolase activity ranges from0.01:1 to 1:0.01.

A method according to any of the above embodiments wherein the suitablereaction conditions (for enzymatic glucan synthesis) comprises areaction temperature between 0° C. and 45° C.

A method according to any of the above embodiments wherein the suitablereaction conditions comprise a pH range of 3 to 8, preferably 4 to 8.

A method according to any of the above embodiments wherein a buffer ispresent and is selected from the group consisting of phosphate,pyrophosphate, bicarbonate, acetate, or citrate.

A method according to any of the above embodiments wherein said at leastone glucosyltransferase and said at least one α-glucanohydrolase isselected from the combinations of:

-   -   1) glucosyltransferase GTF4154 (SEQ ID NO: 10, 12 or a        combination thereof) and mutanase MUT3264 (SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 6 or        a combination thereof) and    -   2) glucosyltransferase GTF4154 (SEQ ID NO: 10, 12 or a        combination thereof) and dextranase; preferably a Chaetomium        erraticum dextranase.

A product produced by any of the above process embodiments; preferablywherein the product produced is the soluble α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition of the first embodiment.

EXAMPLES

Unless defined otherwise herein, all technical and scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Singleton, et al.,DICTIONARY OF MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 2D ED., John Wiley andSons, New York (1994), and Hale & Marham, THE HARPER COLLINS DICTIONARYOF BIOLOGY, Harper Perennial, N.Y. (1991) provide one of skill with ageneral dictionary of many of the terms used in this disclosure.

The present disclosure is further defined in the following Examples. Itshould be understood that these Examples, while indicating preferredembodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only.From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art canascertain the essential characteristics, and without departing from thespirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications toadapt it to various uses and conditions.

The meaning of abbreviations is as follows: “sec” or “s” meanssecond(s), “ms” mean milliseconds, “min” means minute(s), “h” or “hr”means hour(s), “μL” means microliter(s), “mL” means milliliter(s), “L”means liter(s); “mL/min” is milliliters per minute; “μg/mL” ismicrogram(s) per milliliter(s); “LB” is Luria broth; “μm” ismicrometers, “nm” is nanometers; “OD” is optical density; “IPTG” isisopropyl-β-D-thio-galactoside; “g” is gravitational force; “mM” ismillimolar; “SDS-PAGE” is sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide; “mg/mL”is milligrams per milliliters; “N” is normal; “w/v” is weight forvolume; “DTT” is dithiothreitol; “BCA” is bicinchoninic acid; “DMAc” isN,N′-dimethyl acetamide; “LiCl” is Lithium chloride; “NMR” is nuclearmagnetic resonance; “DMSO” is dimethylsulfoxide; “SEC” is size exclusionchromatography; “GI” or “gi” means GenInfo Identifier, a system used byGENBANK® and other sequence databases to uniquely identifypolynucleotide and/or polypeptide sequences within the respectivedatabases; “DPx” means glucan degree of polymerization having “x” unitsin length; “ATCC” means American Type Culture Collection (Manassas,Va.), “DSMZ” and “DSM” will refer to Leibniz Institute DSMZ-GermanCollection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, (Braunschweig, Germany);“EELA” is the Finish Food Safety Authority (Helsinki, Finland) “CCUG”refer to the Culture Collection, University of Göteborg, Sweden; “Suc.”means sucrose; “Gluc.” means glucose; “Fruc.” means fructose; “Leuc.”means leucrose; and “Rxn” means reaction.

General Methods

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used hereinare well known in the art and are described by Sambrook, J. and Russell,D., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Third Edition, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (2001); and bySilhavy, T. J., Bennan, M. L. and Enquist, L. W., Experiments with GeneFusions, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cold Press Spring Harbor, NY(1984); and by Ausubel, F. M. et. al., Short Protocols in MolecularBiology, 5^(th) Ed. Current Protocols and John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,N.Y., 2002.

Materials and methods suitable for the maintenance and growth ofbacterial cultures are also well known in the art. Techniques suitablefor use in the following Examples may be found in Manual of Methods forGeneral Bacteriology, Phillipp Gerhardt, R. G. E. Murray, Ralph N.Costilow, Eugene W. Nester, Willis A. Wood, Noel R. Krieg and G. BriggsPhillips, eds., (American Society for Microbiology Press, Washington,D.C. (1994)), Biotechnology: A Textbook of Industrial Microbiology byWulf Crueger and Anneliese Crueger (authors), Second Edition, (SinauerAssociates, Inc., Sunderland, Mass. (1990)), and Manual of IndustrialMicrobiology and Biotechnology, Third Edition, Richard H. Baltz, ArnoldL. Demain, and Julian E. Davis (Editors), (American Society ofMicrobiology Press, Washington, D.C. (2010).

All reagents, restriction enzymes and materials used for the growth andmaintenance of bacterial cells were obtained from BD Diagnostic Systems(Sparks, Md.), Invitrogen/Life Technologies Corp. (Carlsbad, Calif.),Life Technologies (Rockville, Md.), QIAGEN (Valencia, Calif.),Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo.) or Pierce Chemical Co.(A division of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Rockford, Ill.) unlessotherwise specified. IPTG, (cat #16758) and triphenyltetrazoliumchloride were obtained from the Sigma Co., (St. Louis, Mo.). Bellco spinflask was from the Bellco Co., (Vineland, N.J.). LB medium was fromBecton, Dickinson and Company (Franklin Lakes, N.J.). BCA protein assaywas from Sigma-Aldrich (St Louis, Mo.).

Growth of Recombinant E. Coli Strains for Production of GTF Enzymes

Escherichia coli strains expressing a functional GTF enzyme were grownin shake flask using LB medium with ampicillin (100 μg/mL) at 37° C. and220 rpm to OD_(600 nm)=0.4-0.5, at which timeisopropyl-β-D-thio-galactoside (IPTG) was added to a final concentrationof 0.5 mM and incubation continued for 2-4 hr at 37° C. Cells wereharvested by centrifugation at 5,000×g for 15 min and resuspended(20%-25% wet cell weight/v) in 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0).Resuspended cells were passed through a French Pressure Cell (SLMInstruments, Rochester, N.Y.) twice to ensure >95% cell lysis. Celllysate was centrifuged for 30 min at 12,000×g and 4° C. The resultingsupernatant (cell extract) was analyzed by the BCA protein assay andSDS-PAGE to confirm expression of the GTF enzyme, and the cell extractwas stored at −80° C.

pHYT Vector

The pHYT vector backbone is a replicative Bacillus subtilis expressionplasmid containing the Bacillus subtilis aprE promoter. It was derivedfrom the Escherichia coli-Bacillus subtilis shuttle vector pHY320PLK(GENBANK® Accession No. D00946 and is commercially available from TakaraBio Inc. (Otsu, Japan)). The replication origin for Escherichia coli andampicillin resistance gene are from pACYC177 (GENBANK® X06402 and iscommercially available from New England Biolabs Inc., Ipswich, Mass.).The replication origin for Bacillus subtilis and tetracycline resistancegene were from pAMalpha-1 (Francia et al., J Bacteriol. 2002 September;184(18):5187-93)). To construct pHYT, a terminator sequence:5′-ATAAAAAACGCTCGGTTGCCGCCGGGCGTTTTTTAT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 13) from phagelambda was inserted after the tetracycline resistance gene. The entireexpression cassette (EcoRI-BamHI fragment) containing the aprEpromoter—AprE signal peptide sequence-coding sequence encoding theenzyme of interest (e.g., coding sequences for various GTFs)-BPN′terminator was cloned into the EcoRI and HindIII sites of pHYT using aBamHI-HindIII linker that destroyed the HindIII site. The linkersequence is 5′-GGATCCTGACTGCCTGAGCTT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 14). The aprEpromoter and AprE signal peptide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) are native toBacillus subtilis. The BPN′ terminator is from subtilisin of Bacillusamyloliquefaciens. In the case when native signal peptide was used, theAprE signal peptide was replaced with the native signal peptide of theexpressed gene.

Biolistic Transformation of T. Reesei

A Trichoderma reesei spore suspension was spread onto the center ˜6 cmdiameter of an acetamidase transformation plate (150 μL of a 5×10⁷-5×10⁸spore/mL suspension). The plate was then air dried in a biological hood.The stopping screens (BioRad 165-2336) and the macrocarrier holders(BioRad 1652322) were soaked in 70% ethanol and air dried. DRIERITE®desiccant (calcium sulfate desiccant; W.A. Hammond DRIERITE® Company,Xenia, Ohio) was placed in small Petri dishes (6 cm Pyrex) and overlaidwith Whatman filter paper (GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pa.).The macrocarrier holder containing the macrocarrier (BioRad 165-2335;Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif.) was placed flatly on top of thefilter paper and the Petri dish lid replaced. A tungsten particlesuspension was prepared by adding 60 mg tungsten M-10 particles(microcarrier, 0.7 micron, BioRad #1652266, Bio-Rad Laboratories) to anEppendorf tube. Ethanol (1 mL) (100%) was added. The tungsten wasvortexed in the ethanol solution and allowed to soak for 15 minutes. TheEppendorf tube was microfuged briefly at maximum speed to pellet thetungsten. The ethanol was decanted and washed three times with steriledistilled water. After the water wash was decanted the third time, thetungsten was resuspended in 1 mL of sterile 50% glycerol. Thetransformation reaction was prepared by adding 25 μL suspended tungstento a 1.5 mL-Eppendorf tube for each transformation. Subsequent additionswere made in order, 2 μL DNA pTrex3 expression vectors (SEQ ID NO: 9;see U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,410), 25 μL 2.5 M CaCl₂, 10 μL 0.1M spermidine.The reaction was vortexed continuously for 5-10 minutes, keeping thetungsten suspended. The Eppendorf tube was then microfuged briefly anddecanted. The tungsten pellet was washed with 200 μL of 70% ethanol,microfuged briefly to pellet and decanted. The pellet was washed with200 μL of 100% ethanol, microfuged briefly to pellet, and decanted. Thetungsten pellet was resuspended in 24 μL 100% ethanol. The Eppendorftube was placed in an ultrasonic water bath for 15 seconds and 8 μLaliquots were transferred onto the center of the desiccatedmacrocarriers. The macrocarriers were left to dry in the desiccatedPetri dishes.

A Helium tank was turned on to 1500 psi (˜10.3 MPa). 1100 psi (˜7.58MPa) rupture discs (BioRad 165-2329) were used in the Model PDS-1000/He™BIOLISTIC® Particle Delivery System (BioRad). When the tungsten solutionwas dry, a stopping screen and the macrocarrier holder were insertedinto the PDS-1000. An acetamidase plate, containing the target T. reeseispores, was placed 6 cm below the stopping screen. A vacuum of 29 inchesHg (˜98.2 kPa) was pulled on the chamber and held. The He BIOLISTIC®Particle Delivery System was fired. The chamber was vented and theacetamidase plate removed for incubation at 28° C. until coloniesappeared (5 days).

Modified amdS Biolistic Agar (MABA) Per Liter

-   Part I, make in 500 mL distilled water (dH₂O)-   1000× salts 1 mL-   Noble agar 20 g-   pH to 6.0, autoclave-   Part II, make in 500 mL dH₂O-   Acetamide 0.6 g-   CsCl 1.68 g-   Glucose 20 g-   KH₂PO₄ 15 g-   MgSO₄.7H₂O 0.6 g-   CaCl₂.2H₂O 0.6 g-   pH to 4.5, 0.2 micron filter sterilize; leave in 50° C. oven to    warm, add to agar, mix, pour plates. Stored at room temperature    (˜21° C.)-   1000× Salts per liter-   FeSO₄.7H₂O 5 g-   MnSO₄.H₂O 1.6 g-   ZnSO₄.7H₂O 1.4 g-   CoCl₂.6H₂O 1 g-   Bring up to 1 L dH₂O.-   0.2 micron filter sterilize    Determination of the Glucosyltransferase Activity

Glucosyltransferase activity assay was performed by incubating 1-10%(v/v) crude protein extract containing GTF enzyme with 200 g/L sucrosein 25 mM or 50 mM sodium acetate buffer at pH 5.5 in the presence orabsence of 25 g/L dextran (MW˜1500, Sigma-Aldrich, Cat. #31394) at 37°C. and 125 rpm orbital shaking. One aliquot of reaction mixture waswithdrawn at 1 h, 2 h and 3 h and heated at 90° C. for 5 min toinactivate the GTF. The insoluble material was removed by centrifugationat 13,000×g for 5 min, followed by filtration through 0.2 μm RC(regenerated cellulose) membrane. The resulting filtrate was analyzed byHPLC using two Aminex HPX-87C columns series at 85° C. (Bio-Rad,Hercules, Calif.) to quantify sucrose concentration. The sucroseconcentration at each time point was plotted against the reaction timeand the initial reaction rate was determined from the slope of thelinear plot. One unit of GTF activity was defined as the amount ofenzyme needed to consume one micromole of sucrose in one minute underthe assay condition.

Determination of the α-Glucanohydrolase Activity

Insoluble mutan polymers required for determining mutanase activity wereprepared using secreted enzymes produced by Streptococcus sobrinus ATCC®33478™. Specifically, one loop of glycerol stock of S. sobrinus ATCC®33478™ was streaked on a BHI agar plate (Brain Heart Infusion agar,Teknova, Hollister, Calif.), and the plate was incubated at 37° C. for 2days; A few colonies were picked using a loop to inoculate 2×100 mL BHIliquid medium in the original medium bottle from Teknova, and theculture was incubated at 37° C., static for 24 h. The resulting cellswere removed by centrifugation and the resulting supernatant wasfiltered through 0.2 μm sterile filter; 2×101 mL of filtrate wascollected. To the filtrate was added 2×11.2 mL of 200 g/L sucrose (finalsucrose 20 g/L). The reaction was incubated at 37° C., with no agitationfor 67 h. The resulting polysaccharide polymers were collected bycentrifugation at 5000×g for 10 min. The supernatant was carefullydecanted. The insoluble polymers were washed 4 times with 40 mL ofsterile water. The resulting mutan polymers were lyophilized for 48 h.Mutan polymer (390 mg) was suspended in 39 mL of sterile water to makesuspension of 10 mg/mL. The mutan suspension was homogenized bysonication (40% amplitude until large lumps disappear, ˜10 min intotal). The homogenized suspension was aliquoted and stored at 4° C.

A mutanase assay was initiated by incubating an appropriate amount ofenzyme with 0.5 mg/mL mutan polymer (prepared as described above) in 25mM KOAc buffer at pH 5.5 and 37° C. At various time points, an aliquotof reaction mixture was withdrawn and quenched with equal volume of 100mM glycine buffer (pH 10). The insoluble material in each quenchedsample was removed by centrifugation at 14,000×g for 5 min. The reducingends of oligosaccharide and polysaccharide polymer produced at each timepoint were quantified by the p-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide solution(PAHBAH) assay (Lever M., Anal. Biochem., (1972) 47:273-279) and theinitial rate was determined from the slope of the linear plot of thefirst three or four time points of the time course. The PAHBAH assay wasperformed by adding 10 μL of reaction sample supernatant to 100 μL ofPAHBAH working solution and heated at 95° C. for 5 min. The workingsolution was prepared by mixing one part of reagent A (0.05 g/mLp-hydroxy benzoic acid hydrazide and 5% by volume of concentratedhydrochloric acid) and four parts of reagent B (0.05 g/mL NaOH, 0.2 g/mLsodium potassium tartrate). The absorption at 410 nm was recorded andthe concentration of the reducing ends was calculated by subtractingappropriate background absorption and using a standard curve generatedwith various concentrations of glucose as standards.

Determination of Glycosidic Linkages

One-dimensional ¹H NMR data were acquired on a Varian Unity Inova system(Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, Calif.) operating at 500 MHz using ahigh sensitivity cryoprobe. Water suppression was obtained by carefullyplacing the observe transmitter frequency on resonance for the residualwater signal in a “presat” experiment, and then using the “tnnoesy”experiment with a full phase cycle (multiple of 32) and a mix time of 10ms.

Typically, dried samples were taken up in 1.0 mL of D₂O and sonicatedfor 30 min. From the soluble portion of the sample, 100 μL was added toa 5 mm NMR tube along with 350 μL D₂O and 100 μL of D₂O containing 15.3mM DSS (4,4-dimethyl-4-silapentane-1-sulfonic acid sodium salt) asinternal reference and 0.29% NaN₃ as bactericide. The abundance of eachtype of anomeric linkage was measured by the integrating the peak areaat the corresponding chemical shift. The percentage of each type ofanomeric linkage was calculated from the abundance of the particularlinkage and the total abundance anomeric linkages from oligosaccharides.

Methylation Analysis

The distribution of glucosidic linkages in glucans was determined by awell-known technique generally named “methylation analysis,” or “partialmethylation analysis” (see: F. A. Pettolino, et al., Nature Protocols,(2012) 7(9):1590-1607). The technique has a number of minor variationsbut always includes: 1. methylation of all free hydroxyl groups of theglucose units, 2. hydrolysis of the methylated glucan to individualmonomer units, 3. reductive ring-opening to eliminate anomers and createmethylated glucitols; the anomeric carbon is typically tagged with adeuterium atom to create distinctive mass spectra, 4. acetylation of thefree hydroxyl groups (created by hydrolysis and ring opening) to createpartially methylated glucitol acetates, also known as partiallymethylated products, 5. analysis of the resulting partially methylatedproducts by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and/or flameionization detection.

The partially methylated products include non-reducing terminal glucoseunits, linked units and branching points. The individual products areidentified by retention time and mass spectrometry. The distribution ofthe partially-methylated products is the percentage (area %) of eachproduct in the total peak area of all partially methylated products. Thegas chromatographic conditions were as follows: RTx-225 column (30 m×250μm ID×0.1 μm film thickness, Restek Corporation, Bellefonte, Pa., USA),helium carrier gas (0.9 mL/min constant flow rate), oven temperatureprogram starting at 80° C. (hold for 2 min) then 30° C./min to 170° C.(hold for 0 min) then 4° C./min to 240° C. (hold for 25 min), 1 μLinjection volume (split 5:1), detection using electron impact massspectrometry (full scan mode)

Viscosity Measurement

The viscosity of 12 wt % aqueous solutions of soluble oligomer/polymerwas measured using a TA Instruments AR-G2 controlled-stress rotationalrheometer (TA Instruments—Waters, LLC, New Castle, Del.) equipped with acone and plate geometry. The geometry consists of a 40 mm 2° upper coneand a peltier lower plate, both with smooth surfaces. An environmentalchamber equipped with a water-saturated sponge was used to minimizesolvent (water) evaporation during the test. The viscosity was measuredat 20° C. The peltier was set to the desired temperature and 0.65 mL ofsample was loaded onto the plate using an Eppendorf pipette (EppendorfNorth America, Hauppauge, N.Y.). The cone was lowered to a gap of 50 μmbetween the bottom of the cone and the plate. The sample was thermallyequilibrated for 3 minutes. A shear rate sweep was performed over ashear rate range of 500-10 s⁻¹. Sample stability was confirmed byrunning repeat shear rate points at the end of the test.

Determination of the Concentration of Sucrose, Glucose, Fructose andLeucrose

Sucrose, glucose, fructose, and leucrose were quantitated by HPLC withtwo tandem Aminex HPX-87C Columns (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.).Chromatographic conditions used were 85° C. at column and detectorcompartments, 40° C. at sample and injector compartment, flow rate of0.6 mL/min, and injection volume of 10 μL. Software packages used fordata reduction were EMPOWER™ version 3 from Waters (Waters Corp.,Milford, Mass.). Calibrations were performed with various concentrationsof standards for each individual sugar.

Determination of the Concentration of Oligosaccharides

Soluble oligosaccharides were quantitated by HPLC with two tandem AminexHPX-42A columns (Bio-Rad). Chromatographic conditions used were 85° C.column temperature and 40° C. detector temperature, water as mobilephase (flow rate of 0.6 mL/min), and injection volume of 10 μL. Softwarepackage used for data reduction was EMPOWER™ version 3 from Waters Corp.Oligosaccharide samples from DP2 to DP7 were obtained fromSigma-Aldrich: maltoheptaose (DP7, Cat. #47872), maltohexanose (DP6,Cat. #47873), maltopentose (DP5, Cat. #47876), maltotetraose (DP4, Cat.#47877), isomaltotriose (DP3, Cat. #47884) and maltose (DP2, Cat.#47288). Calibration was performed for each individual oligosaccharidewith various concentrations of the standard.

Purification of Soluble Oligosaccharide Oligomer/Polymer

Soluble oligosaccharide oligomer/polymer present in product mixturesproduced by the conversion of sucrose using glucosyltransferase enzymeswith or without added mutanases as described in the following exampleswere purified and isolated by size-exclusion column chromatography(SEC). In a typical procedure, product mixtures were heat-treated at 60°C. to 90° C. for between 15 min and 30 min and then centrifuged at 4000rpm for 10 min. The resulting supernatant was injected onto an AKTAprimepurification system (SEC; GE Healthcare Life Sciences) (10 mL-50 mLinjection volume) connected to a GE HK 50/60 column packed with 1.1 L ofBio-Gel P2 Gel (Bio-Rad, Fine 45-90 μm) using water as eluent at 0.7mL/min. The SEC fractions (˜5 mL per tube) were analyzed by HPLC foroligosaccharides using a Bio-Rad HPX-47A column. Fractionscontaining >DP2 oligosaccharides were combined and the solubleoligomer/polymer isolated by rotary evaporation of the combinedfractions to produce a solution containing between 3% and 6% (w/w)solids, where the resulting solution was lyophilized to produce thesoluble oligomer/polymer as a solid product.

Example 1 Production of Mutanase MUT3264 GI: 257153264 in E. ColiBL21(DE3)

A gene encoding mutanase from Paenibacillus Humicus NA1123 identified inGENBANK® as GI:257153264 (SEQ ID NO: 1) was synthesized by GenScript(GenScript USA Inc., Piscataway, N.J.). The nucleotide sequence (SEQ IDNO: 2) encoding protein sequence (“mut3264”; SEQ ID NO: 3) was subclonedinto pET24a (Novagen; Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany). The resultingplasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) (Invitrogen) to generatethe strain identified as SGZY6. The strain was grown at 37° C. withshaking at 220 rpm to OD₆₀₀ of ˜0.7, then the temperature was lowered to18° C. and IPTG was added to a final concentration of 0.4 mM. Theculture was grown overnight before harvest by centrifugation at 4000×g.The cell pellet from 600 mL of culture was suspended in 22 mL 50 mM KPibuffer, pH 7.0. Cells were disrupted by French Cell Press (2 passages @15,000 psi (103.4 MPa)); cell debris was removed by centrifugation(SORVALL™ SS34 rotor, @13,000 rpm; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.,Waltham, Mass.) for 40 min. The supernatant was analyzed by SDS-PAGE toconfirm the expression of the “mut3264” mutanase and the crude extractwas used for activity assay. A control strain without the mutanase genewas created by transforming E. coli BL21(DE3) cells with the pET24avector.

Example 2 Production of Mutanase MUT3264 GI:257153264 in B. SubtilisStrain BG6006 Strain SG1021-1

SG1021-1 is a Bacillus subtilis mutanase expression strain thatexpresses the mutanase from Paenibacillus humicus NA1123 isolated fromfermented soy bean natto. For recombinant expression in B. subtilis, thenative signal peptide was replaced with a Bacillus AprE signal peptide(GENBANK® Accession No. AFG28208; SEQ ID NO: 4). The polynucleotideencoding mut3264 (SEQ ID NO: 5) was operably linked downstream of anAprE signal peptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) encoding Bacillus expressed mut3264provided as SEQ ID NO: 6. A C-terminal lysine was deleted to provide astop codon prior to a sequence encoding a poly histidine tag.

The B. subtilis host BG6006 strain contains 9 protease deletions(amyE::xylRPxylAcomK-ermC, degUHy32, oppA, ΔspoIIE3501, ΔaprE, ΔnprE,Δepr, ΔispA, Δbpr, Δvpr, ΔwprA, Δmpr-ybfJ, ΔnprB). The wild type mut3264(as found under GENBANK® gi: 257153264) has 1146 amino acids with the Nterminal 33 amino acids deduced as the native signal peptide by theSignalP 4.0 program (Nordahl et al., (2011) Nature Methods, 8:785-786).The mature mut3264 without the native signal peptide was synthesized byGenScript and cloned into the NheI and HindIII sites of the replicativeBacillus expression pHYT vector under the aprE promoter and fused withthe B. subtilis AprE signal peptide (SEQ ID NO: 4) on the vector. Theconstruct was first transformed into E. coli DH10B and selected on LBwith ampicillin (100 μg/mL) plates. The confirmed construct pDCQ921 wasthen transformed into B. subtilis BG6006 and selected on the LB plateswith tetracycline (12.5 μg/mL). The resulting B. subtilis expressionstrain SG1021 was purified and a single colony isolate, SG1021-1, wasused as the source of the mutanase mut3264. SG1021-1 strain was firstgrown in LB containing 10 μg/mL tetracycline, and then sub-cultured intoGrantsII medium containing 12.5 μg/mL tetracycline and grown at 37° C.for 2-3 days. The cultures were spun at 15,000×g for 30 min at 4° C. andthe supernatant filtered through a 0.22 μm filter. The filteredsupernatant containing mut3264 was aliquoted and frozen at −80° C.

Example 3 Production of Mutanase MUT3325 GI: 212533325

A gene encoding the Penicillium marneffei ATCC® 18224™ mutanaseidentified in GENBANK® as gi:212533325 was synthesized by GenScript(Piscataway, N.J.). The nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 7) encodingprotein sequence (mut3325; SEQ ID NO: 8) was subcloned into plasmidpTrex3 (SEQ ID NO: 9) at SacII and AscI restriction sites, a vectordesigned to express the gene of interest in Trichoderma reesei, undercontrol of CBHI promoter and terminator, with Aspergillus nigeracetamidase for selection. The resulting plasmid was transformed into T.reesei by biolistic injection as described in the general methodsection, above. The detailed method of biolistic transformation isdescribed in International PCT Patent Application PublicationWO2009/126773 A1. A 1 cm² agar plug with spores from a stable cloneTRM05-3 was used to inoculate the production media (described below).The culture was grown in the shake flasks for 4-5 days at 28° C. and 220rpm. To harvest the secreted proteins, the cell mass was first removedby centrifugation at 4000×g for 10 min and the supernatant was filteredthrough 0.2 μM sterile filters. The expression of mutanase mut3325 wasconfirmed by SDS-PAGE.

The production media component is listed below.

NREL-Trich Lactose Defined

Formula Amount Units ammonium sulfate 5 g PIPPS 33 g BD Bacto casaminoacid 9 g KH₂PO₄ 4.5 g CaCl₂•2H₂O 1.32 g MgSO₄•7H₂O 1 g T. reesei traceelements 2.5 mL NaOH pellet 4.25 g Adjust pH to 5.5 with 50% NaOH Bringvolume to 920 mL Add to each aliquot: 5 Drops Foamblast Autoclave, thenadd 80 mL 20% lactose filter sterilizedT. Reesei Trace Elements

Formula Amount Units citric acid•H₂O 191.41 g FeSO₄•7H₂O 200 gZnSO₄•7H₂O 16 g CuSO₄•5H₂O 3.2 g MnSO₄•H₂O 1.4 g H₃BO₃ (boric acid) 0.8g Bring volume to 1 L

Example 4 Production of MUT3325 by Fermentation

Fermentation seed culture was prepared by inoculating 0.5 L of minimalmedium in a 2-L baffled flask with 1.0 mL frozen spore suspension of themut3325 expression strain TRM05-3 (Example 3) (The minimal medium wascomposed of 5 g/L ammonium sulfate, 4.5 g/L potassium phosphatemonobasic, 1.0 g/L magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 14.4 g/L citric acidanhydrous, 1 g/L calcium chloride dihydrate, 25 g/L glucose and traceelements including 0.4375 g/L citric acid, 0.5 g/L ferrous sulfateheptahydrate, 0.04 g/L zinc sulfate heptahydrate, 0.008 g/L cupricsulfate pentahydrate, 0.0035 g/L manganese sulfate monohydrate and 0.002g/L boric acid. The pH was 5.5). The culture was grown at 32° C. and 170rpm for 48 hours before transferred to 8 L of the production medium in a14-L fermentor. The production medium was composed of 75 g/L glucose,4.5 g/L potassium phosphate monobasic, 0.6 g/L calcium chloridedehydrate, 1.0 g/L magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 7.0 g/L ammoniumsulfate, 0.5 g/L citric acid anhydrous, 0.5 g/L ferrous sulfateheptahydrate, 0.04 g/L zinc sulfate heptahydrate, 0.00175 g/L cupricsulfate pentahydrate, 0.0035 g/L manganese sulfate monohydrate, 0.002g/L boric acid and 0.3 mL/L foam blast 882.

The fermentation was first run with batch growth on glucose at 34° C.,500 rpm for 24 h. At the end of 24 h. the temperature was lowered to 28°C. and agitation speed was increased to 1000 rpm. The fermentor was thenfed with a mixture of glucose and sophorose (62% w/w) at specific feedrate of 0.030 g glucose-sophorose solids/g biomass/hr. At the end ofrun, the biomass was removed by centrifugation and the supernatantcontaining the mutanase was concentrated about 10-fold byultrafiltration using 10-kD Molecular Weight Cut-Off ultrafiltrationcartridge (UFP-10-E-35; GEHealthcare, Lithe Chalfont, Buckinghamshire,UK). The concentrated protein was stored at −80° C.

Example 5 Production of GTF GI: 51574154 in E. Coli TOP10

A gene encoding a truncated version of the gtf enzyme from Lactobacillusreuteri identified in GENBANK® as gi:51574154 (SEQ ID NO: 10) wassynthesized using codons optimized for expression in E. coli (DNA 2.0,Menlo Park Calif.). The nucleic acid product (SEQ ID NO: 11), encodingprotein 4154 (SEQ ID NO: 12), was subcloned into PJEXPRESS404® (DNA 2.0,Menlo Park Calif.) to generate the plasmid identified as pMP80. Theplasmid pMP80 was used to transform E. coli TOP10 (Invitrogen, CarlsbadCalif.) to generate the strain identified as TOP10/pMP80.

E. coli strain TOP10/pMP80 expressing the GTF enzyme “4154” was grown inLB medium with ampicillin (100 μg/mL) at 37° C. with shaking to OD600nm=0.4-0.5, at which time IPTG was added to a final concentration of 0.5mM, and incubation continued for 2-4 hours at 37° C. Cells wereharvested by centrifugation at 5,000×g for 15 minutes and resuspended(20% w/v) in 50 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0 supplemented with DTT (1.0mM). Resuspended cells were passed through a French Pressure Cell (SLMInstruments, Rochester, N.Y.) twice to ensure >95% cell lysis. Lysedcells were centrifuged for 30 minutes at 12,000×g at 4° C. The resultingsupernatant was analyzed by the BCA protein assay and SDS-PAGE toconfirm expression of the gtf enzyme, and the supernatant was stored at−20° C.

GTF activity was confirmed by measuring the production of reducingsugars (fructose and glucose) in a gtf reaction solution in whichextract was added (5% by volume) to a mixture containing sucrose (50mg/mL), dextran T-10 (1 mg/mL) and potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.5,50 mM) at 22-25° C. for 24-30 hours. Reducing sugars were subsequentlymeasured by adding 0.01 mL of a centrifuged GTF reaction solution to amixture containing 1 N NaOH and 0.1% triphenyltetrazolium chloride andmonitoring the increase in absorbance at OD480 nm for 5 minutes(Ultrospec, Pharmacia LKB, New York, N.Y.).

Example 6 Isolation of Soluble Oligosaccharide Fiber Produced by theCombination of GTF4154 and MUT3264

A 1000 mL reaction containing 100 g/L sucrose, E. coli crude proteinextract (1.0% v/v) containing GTF enzyme from Lactobacillus reuteriidentified in GENBANK® as gi:51574154 (Example 5), and E. coli crudeprotein extract (1.0% v/v) comprising a mutanase from Paenibacillushumicus (mut3264, gi:257153264; Example 1) in 10 mM potassium phosphatebuffer (pH 6.0) was stirred at 37° C. for 30 h, then heated to 90° C.for 15 min to inactivate the enzymes. The resulting product mixture wascentrifuged and the resulting supernatant analyzed by HPLC for solublemonosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, then 132 mL of thesupernatant was purified by SEC using BioGel P2 resin (BioRad). The SECfractions that contained oligosaccharides≥DP3 were combined andconcentrated by rotary evaporation for analysis by HPLC (Table 1).

TABLE 1 Soluble oligosaccharide oligomer/polymer produced byGTF4154/mut3264 mutanase. 100 g/L sucrose, GTF GI: 51574154, mut3264,37° C., 30 h Product SEC-purified mixture, product, g/L g/L ≥DP8 23.974.4 DP7 2.6 6.1 DP6 2.5 4.9 DP5 2.3 4.1 DP4 1.3 1.8 DP3 1.3 1.1 DP2 2.50.6 Sucrose 0.0 0.2 Leucrose 7.4 0.3 Glucose 3.7 0.1 Fructose 44.1 0.1Sum DP2-≥DP8 33.9 93.0 Sum DP3-≥DP8 36.4 92.4

Example 7 Isolation of Soluble Oligosaccharide Fiber Produced by theCombination of GTF4154 and Dextranase

A 1200 mL reaction containing 100 g/L sucrose, E. coli crude proteinextract (1.0% v/v) containing GTF enzyme from Lactobacillus reuteriidentified in GENBANK® as gi:51574154 (Example 5), and 0.01% (v/v)dextranase (1,6-α-D-Glucan 6-glucanhydrolase from Chaetomium erraticum,Sigma catalog D-0443) in 10 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.5), wasstirred at 37° C. for 45 h, then heated to 90° C. for 15 min toinactivate the enzymes. The resulting product mixture was centrifugedand the resulting supernatant analyzed by HPLC for solublemonosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, then thesupernatant was purified by SEC using BioGel P2 resin (BioRad). The SECfractions that contained oligosaccharides≥DP3 were combined andconcentrated by rotary evaporation for analysis by HPLC (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Soluble oligosaccharide oligomer/polymer produced by GTF4154 anddextranase. 100 g/L sucrose, GTF GI: 51574154, dextranase, 37° C., 45 hProduct SEC-purified mixture, product, g/L g/L ≥DP8 22.6 64.2 DP7 3.35.8 DP6 3.5 5.0 DP5 3.6 4.4 DP4 1.8 1.7 DP3 1.5 1.1 DP2 4.0 1.1 Sucrose0 0.7 Leucrose 7.4 0.6 Glucose 3.6 0.5 Fructose 46.3 2.3 Sum DP2-≥DP840.3 83.3 Sum DP3-≥DP8 36.3 82.2

Example 8 Anomeric Linkage Analysis of Soluble Fiber Produced byCombination of GTF4154 and MUT3264 or Dextranase

Solutions of chromatographically-purified soluble oligosaccharideoligomer/polymers prepared as described in Examples 6 and Example 7 weredried to a constant weight by lyophilization, and the resulting solidsanalyzed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and by GC/MS as described in the GeneralMethods section (above). The anomeric linkages for each of these solubleoligosaccharide oligomer/polymer mixtures are reported in Tables 3 and4.

TABLE 3 Anomeric linkage analysis of soluble oligomer/polymer by ¹H NMRspectroscopy. % % % % α- α- α- α- % Example # GTF (1, 3) (1, 2) (1, 3,6) (1, 2, 6) α-(1, 6) 6 GTF4154/ 0 0.0 29.5 0 70.5 mut3264 7 GTF4154/ 00.0 32.5 0 67.5 dextranase

TABLE 4 Anomeric linkage analysis of soluble oligomer/polymer by GC/MS.% % % % % % % % % α- α- α-(1,4,6) + α- Example # GTF α-(1, 4) α-(1, 3)α-(1, 3, 6) 2,1 Fruc α-(1, 2) α-(1, 6) (1, 3, 4) (1, 2, 3) (1, 2, 6) 6GTF4154/mut3264 1.3 27.6 9.5 0.2 0.5 60.3 0.0 0.0 0.6 7GTF4154/dextranase 1.4 29.0 9.3 0.2 0.5 59.1 0.0 0.0 0.6

Example 9 Viscosity of Soluble Fiber Produced by Combination of GTF4154and MUT3264 or Dextranase

Solutions of chromatographically-purified soluble oligosaccharideoligomer/polymers prepared as described in Examples 6 and Example 7 weredried to a constant weight by lyophilization, and the resulting solidswere used to prepare a 12 wt % solution of soluble oligomer/polymer indistilled, deionized water. The viscosity of the solubleoligomer/polymer solutions (reported in centipoise (cP), where 1 cP=1millipascal-s (mPa-s)) (Table 5) was measured at 20° C. as described inthe General Methods section.

TABLE 5 Viscosity of 12% (w/w) soluble oligomer/polymer solutionsmeasured at 20° C. (ND = not determined). viscosity Example # GTF (cP) 6GTF4154/mut3264 9.8 7 GTF4154/dextranase 5.1

Example 10 Molecular Weight of Fiber Produced by Combination of GTF4154and MUT3264 or Dextranase

A solution of chromatographically-purified soluble oligosaccharideoligomer/polymers prepared as described in Examples 6 and Example 7 weredried to a constant weight by lyophilization, and the resulting solidswere analyzed by SEC chromatography for number average molecular weight(M_(n)), weight average molecular weight (M_(w)), peak molecular weight(M_(p)), z-average molecular weight (M_(z)), and polydispersity index(PDI=M_(w)/M_(n)) as described in the General Methods section (Table 6).

TABLE 6 Characterization of soluble oligomer/polymer by SEC. ComponentM_(n) M_(w) M_(p) M_(z) Example # GTF or GTF/mutanase (%) (Daltons)(Daltons) (Daltons) (Daltons) PDI 6 GTF4154/mut3264 69 1663 2058 20152460 1.24 6 GTF4154/mut3264 31 529436 784727 808747 949419 1.48 7GTF4154/dextranase 66 1596 1984 1926 2407 1.24 7 GTF4154/dextranase 22458381 612419 651301 763911 1.34

Example 11 Production of GTF GI: 51574154 in Bacillus Subtilis

The nucleic acid product (SEQ ID NO: 11) encoding protein GTF4154 wasamplified from the E. coli expression plasmid pMP80 with flanking NheIand HindIII restriction sites and cloned into the NheI and HindIII sitesof the Bacillus subtilis integrative expression plasmid p4JH under theaprE promoter and fused with the B. subtilis AprE signal peptide (SEQ IDNO: 4) on the vector. The construct was first transformed into E. coliDH10B and selected on LB with ampicillin (100 ug/mL) plates. Theconfirmed construct pDCQ985 expressing GTF4154 was then transformed intoB. subtilis BG6006 contains 9 protease deletions(amyE::xylRPxylAcomK-ermC, degUHy32, oppA, ΔspoIIE3501, ΔaprE, ΔnprE,Δepr, ΔispA, Δbpr, Δvpr, ΔmprA, Δmpr-ybfJ, ΔnprB) and selected on the LBplates with chloramphenicol (5 ug/ml). The colonies grown on LB plateswith 5 ug/mL chloramphenicol were streaked several times onto LB plateswith 25 ug/mL chloramphenicol. The resulted B. subtilis expressionstrain SG1185 was grown in LB medium with 25 ug/mL chloramphenicol firstand then subcultured into GrantsII medium containing 25 ug/mLchloramphenicol grown at 30° C. for 2-3 days. The cultures were spun at15,000×g for 30 min at 4° C. and the supernatant was filtered through0.22 um filters. The filtered supernatant was aliquoted and frozen at−80° C.

Example 12 Preparation of a Sodium Carboxymethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative,carboxymethyl glucan, using the α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositiondescribed herein.

Approximately 1 g of an α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition asdescribed in Examples 6 or 7 is added to 20 mL of isopropanol in a 50-mLcapacity round bottom flask fitted with a thermocouple for temperaturemonitoring and a condenser connected to a recirculating bath, and amagnetic stir bar. Sodium hydroxide (4 mL of a 15% solution) is addeddrop wise to the preparation, which is then heated to 25° C. on ahotplate. The preparation is stirred for 1 hour before the temperatureis increased to 55° C. Sodium monochloroacetate (0.3 g) is then added toprovide a reaction, which is held at 55° C. for 3 hours before beingneutralized with glacial acetic acid. The material is then collected andanalyzed by NMR to determine degree of substitution (DoS) of the solid.

Various DoS samples of carboxymethyl α-glucan are prepared usingprocesses similar to the above process, but with certain modificationssuch as the use of different reagent (sodium monochloroacetate):α-glucan oligomer/polymer molar ratios, different NaOH:α-glucanoligomer/polymer molar ratios, different temperatures, and/or reactiontimes.

Example 13 Viscosity Modification Using Carboxymethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes the effect of carboxymethyl α-glucan on theviscosity of an aqueous composition.

Various sodium carboxymethyl glucan samples as prepared in Example 12are tested. To prepare 0.6 wt % solutions of each of these samples,0.102 g of sodium carboxymethyl α-glucan is added to DI water (17 g).Each preparation is then mixed using a bench top vortexer at 1000 rpmuntil completely dissolved.

To determine the viscosity of carboxymethyl α-glucan, each solution ofthe dissolved α-glucan ether samples is subjected to various shear ratesusing a Brookfield III+ viscometer equipped with a recirculating bath tocontrol temperature (20° C.). The shear rate is increased using agradient program which increased from 0.1-232.5 rpm and the shear rateis increased by 4.55 (1/s) every 20 seconds.

Example 14 Preparation of Carboxymethyl Dextran from Solid Dextran

This Example describes producing carboxymethyl dextran for use inExample 15.

Approximately 0.5 g of solid dextran (M_(w)=750000) was added to 10 mLof isopropanol in a 50-mL capacity round bottom flask fitted with athermocouple for temperature monitoring and a condenser connected to arecirculating bath, and a magnetic stir bar. Sodium hydroxide (0.9 mL ofa 15% solution) was added drop wise to the preparation, which was thenheated to 25° C. on a hotplate. The preparation was stirred for 1 hourbefore the temperature was increased to 55° C. Sodium monochloroacetate(0.15 g) was then added to provide a reaction, which was held at 55° C.for 3 hours before being neutralized with glacial acetic acid. The solidmaterial was then collected by vacuum filtration and washed with ethanol(70%) four times, dried under vacuum at 20-25° C., and analyzed by NMRto determine degree of substitution (DoS) of the solid. The solid wasidentified as sodium carboxymethyl dextran.

Additional sodium carboxymethyl dextran was prepared using dextran ofdifferent M_(w). The DoS values of carboxymethyl dextran samplesprepared in this example are provided in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Samples of Sodium Carboxymethyl Dextran Prepared from SolidDextran Product Reaction Sample Dextran Reagent^(a):Dextran NaOH:DextranTime Designation M_(w) Molar Ratio^(b) Molar Ratio^(b) (hours) DoS 2A750000 0.41 1.08 3 0.64 2B 1750000 0.41 0.41 3 0.49 ^(a)Reagent refersto sodium monochloroacetate. ^(b)Molar ratios calculated as moles ofreagent per moles of dextran (third column), or moles of NaOH per molesof dextran (fourth column).

These carboxymethyl dextran samples were tested for their viscositymodification effects in Example 15.

Example 15 (Comparative) Effect of Shear Rate on Viscosity ofCarboxymethyl Dextran

This Example describes the viscosity, and the effect of shear rate onviscosity, of solutions containing the carboxymethyl dextran samplesprepared in Example 14.

Various sodium carboxymethyl dextran samples (2A and 2B) were preparedas described in Example 14. To prepare 0.6 wt % solutions of each ofthese samples, 0.102 g of sodium carboxymethyl dextran was added to DIwater (17 g). Each preparation was then mixed using a bench top vortexerat 1000 rpm until the solid was completely dissolved.

To determine the viscosity of carboxymethyl dextran at various shearrates, each solution of the dissolved dextran ether samples wassubjected to various shear rates using a Brookfield III+ viscometerequipped with a recirculating bath to control temperature (20° C.). Theshear rate was increased using a gradient program which increased from0.1-232.5 rpm and the shear rate was increased by 4.55 (1/s) every 20seconds. The results of this experiment at 14.72 (1/s) are listed inTable y+1.

TABLE 8 Viscosity of Carboxymethyl Dextran Solutions at Various ShearRates Sample Viscosity Viscosity Viscosity Viscosity Loading (cPs) @(cPs) @ (cPs) @ (cPs) @ Sample (wt %) 66.18 rpm 110.3 rpm 183.8 rpm 250rpm 2A 0.6 4.97 2.55 4.43 3.88 2B 0.6 6.86 5.68 5.28 5.26

The results summarized in Table 8 indicate that 0.6 wt % solutions ofcarboxymethyl dextran have viscosities of about 2.5-7 cPs.

Example 16 (Comparative) Preparation of Carboxymethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing carboxymethyl glucan for use in Example17.

The glucan was prepared as described in Examples 6 or 7. Approximately150 g of the α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition is added to 3000 mLof isopropanol in a 500-mL capacity round bottom flask fitted with athermocouple for temperature monitoring and a condenser connected to arecirculating bath, and a magnetic stir bar. Sodium hydroxide (600 mL ofa 15% solution) is added drop wise to the preparation, which is thenheated to 25° C. on a hotplate. The preparation is stirred for 1 hourbefore the temperature is increased to 55° C. Sodium monochloroacetateis then added to provide a reaction, which is held at 55° C. for 3 hoursbefore being neutralized with 90% acetic acid. The material is thencollected and analyzed by NMR to determine degree of substitution (DoS).

Various DoS samples of carboxymethyl α-glucan are prepared usingprocesses similar to the above process, but with certain modificationssuch as the use of different reagent (sodium monochloroacetate):α-glucanoligomer/polymer molar ratios, different NaOH:α-glucan oligomer/polymermolar ratios, different temperatures, and/or reaction times.

Example 17 (Comparative) Viscosity Modification Using Carboxymethylα-Glucan

This Example describes the effect of carboxymethyl α-glucan on theviscosity of an aqueous composition.

Various sodium carboxymethyl glucan samples are prepared as described inExample 16. To prepare 0.6 wt % solutions of each of these samples,0.102 g of sodium carboxymethyl α-glucan is added to DI water (17 g).Each preparation is then mixed using a bench top vortexer at 1000 rpmuntil completely dissolved.

To determine the viscosity of carboxymethyl glucan at various shearrates, each solution of the glucan ether samples is subjected to variousshear rates using a Brookfield III+ viscometer equipped with arecirculating bath to control temperature (20° C.). The shear rate isincreased using a gradient program which increased from 0.1-232.5 rpmand then the shear rate is increased by 4.55 (1/s) every 20 seconds.

Example 18 (Comparative) Viscosity Modification Using CarboxymethylCellulose

This Example describes the effect of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) onthe viscosity of an aqueous composition.

CMC samples obtained from DuPont Nutrition & Health (Danisco) weredissolved in DI water to prepare 0.6 wt % solutions of each sample.

To determine the viscosity of CMC at various shear rates, each solutionof the dissolved CMC samples was subjected to various shear rates usinga Brookfield III+ viscometer equipped with a recirculating bath tocontrol temperature (20° C.). The shear rate was increased using agradient program which increased from 0.1-232.5 rpm and the shear ratewas increased by 4.55 (1/s) every 20 seconds. Results of this experimentat 14.72 (1/s) are listed in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Viscosity of CMC Solutions Molecular Sample Weight LoadingViscosity Sample (Mw) DoS (wt %) (cPs) @ 14.9 rpm C3A (BAK ~130000 0.660.6 235.03 130) C3B (BAK ~550000 0.734 0.6 804.31 550)

CMC (0.6 wt %) therefore can increase the viscosity of an aqueoussolution.

Example 19 Creating Calibration Curves for Direct Red 80 and ToluidineBlue 0 Dyes Using UV Absorption

This example discloses creating calibration curves that could be usefulfor determining the relative level of adsorption of glucan etherderivatives onto fabric surfaces.

Solutions of known concentration (ppm) are made using Direct Red 80 andToluidine Blue O dyes. The absorbance of these solutions are measuredusing a LAMOTTE SMART2 Colorimeter at either 520 nm (Direct Red 80) or620 nm (Toluidine Blue O Dye). The absorption information is plotted inorder that it can be used to determine dye concentration of solutionsexposed to fabric samples. The concentration and absorbance of eachcalibration curve are provided in Tables 10 and 11.

TABLE 10 Direct Red 80 Dye Calibration Curve Data Dye AverageConcentration Absorbance (ppm) @520 nm 25 0.823333333 22.5 0.79666666720 0.666666667 15 0.51 10 0.37 5 0.2

TABLE 11 Toluidine Blue O Dye Calibration Curve Data Dye AverageConcentration Absorbance (ppm) @620 nm 12.5 1.41 10 1.226666667 7 0.88 50.676666667 3 0.44 1 0.166666667

Thus, calibration curves were prepared that are useful for determiningthe relative level of adsorption of poly alpha-1,3-glucan etherderivatives onto fabric surfaces.

Example 20 Preparation of Quaternary Ammonium Glucan

This Example describes how one could produce a quaternary ammoniumglucan ether derivative. Specifically, trimethylammonium hydroxypropylglucan can be produced.

Approximately 10 g of the α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition(prepared as in Examples 6 or 7) is added to 100 mL of isopropanol in a500-mL capacity round bottom flask fitted with a thermocouple fortemperature monitoring and a condenser connected to a recirculatingbath, and a magnetic stir bar. 30 mL of sodium hydroxide (17.5%solution) is added drop wise to this preparation, which is then heatedto 25° C. on a hotplate. The preparation is stirred for 1 hour beforethe temperature is increased to 55° C.3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-trimethylammonium chloride (31.25 g) is thenadded to provide a reaction, which is held at 55° C. for 1.5 hoursbefore being neutralized with 90% acetic acid. The product that forms(trimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan) is collected by vacuumfiltration and washed with ethanol (95%) four times, dried under vacuumat 20-25° C., and analyzed by NMR and SEC to determine molecular weightand DoS.

Thus, the quaternary ammonium glucan ether derivative, trimethylammoniumhydroxypropyl glucan, can be prepared and isolated.

Example 21 Effect of Shear Rate on Viscosity of Quaternary AmmoniumGlucan

This Example describes how one could test the effect of shear rate onthe viscosity of trimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan as prepared inExample 22. It is contemplated that this glucan ether derivativeexhibits shear thinning or shear thickening behavior.

Samples of trimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan are prepared asdescribed in Example 20. To prepare a 2 wt % solution of each sample, 1g of sample is added to 49 g of DI water. Each preparation is thenhomogenized for 12-15 seconds at 20,000 rpm to dissolve thetrimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan sample in the water.

To determine the viscosity of each 2 wt % quaternary ammonium glucansolution at various shear rates, each solution is subjected to variousshear rates using a Brookfield DV III+ Rheometer equipped with arecirculating bath to control temperature (20° C.) and a ULA (ultra lowadapter) spindle and adapter set. The shear rate is increased using agradient program which increases from 10-250 rpm and the shear rate isincreased by 4.9 1/s every 20 seconds for the ULA spindle and adapter.

It is contemplated that the viscosity of each of the quaternary ammoniumglucan solutions would change (reduced or increased) as the shear rateis increased, thereby indicating that the solutions demonstrate shearthinning or shear thickening behavior. Such would indicate thatquaternary ammonium glucan could be added to an aqueous liquid to modifyits rheological profile.

Example 22 Adsorption of Quaternary Ammonium Glucan on Various Fabrics

This example discloses how one could test the degree of adsorption of aquaternary ammonium glucan (trimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan) ondifferent types of fabrics.

A 0.07 wt % solution of trimethylammonium hydroxypropyl glucan (asprepared in Example 20) is made by dissolving 0.105 g of the polymer in149.89 g of deionized water. This solution is divided into severalaliquots with different concentrations of polymer (Table 12). Othercomponents are added such as acid (dilute hydrochloric acid) or base(sodium hydroxide) to modify pH, or NaCl salt.

TABLE 12 Quaternary Ammonium Glucan Solutions Useful in FabricAdsorption Studies Amount Polymer of NaCl Amount of Concentration Final(g) Solution (g) (wt %) pH 0 15 0.07 ~7 0.15 14.85 0.0693 ~7 0.3 14.70.0686 ~7 0.45 14.55 0.0679 ~7 0 9.7713 0.0683 ~3 0 9.7724 0.0684 ~5 010.0311 0.0702 ~9 0 9.9057 0.0693 ~11

Four different fabric types (cretonne, polyester, 65:35polyester/cretonne, bleached cotton) are cut into 0.17 g pieces. Eachpiece is placed in a 2-mL well in a 48-well cell culture plate. Eachfabric sample is exposed to 1 mL of each of the above solutions (Table12) for a total of 36 samples (a control solution with no polymer isincluded for each fabric test). The fabric samples are allowed to sitfor at least 30 minutes in the polymer solutions. The fabric samples areremoved from the polymer solutions and rinsed in DI water for at leastone minute to remove any unbound polymer. The fabric samples are thendried at 60° C. for at least 30 minutes until constant dryness isachieved. The fabric samples are weighed after drying and individuallyplaced in 2-mL wells in a clean 48-well cell culture plate. The fabricsamples are then exposed to 1 mL of a 250 ppm Direct Red 80 dyesolution. The samples are left in the dye solution for at least 15minutes. Each fabric sample is removed from the dye solution, afterwhich the dye solution is diluted 10×.

The absorbance of the diluted solutions is measured compared to acontrol sample. A relative measure of glucan polymer adsorbed to thefabric is calculated based on the calibration curve created in Example19 for Direct Red 80 dye. Specifically, the difference in UV absorbancefor the fabric samples exposed to polymer compared to the controls(fabric not exposed to polymer) represents a relative measure of polymeradsorbed to the fabric. This difference in UV absorbance could also beexpressed as the amount of dye bound to the fabric (over the amount ofdye bound to control), which is calculated using the calibration curve(i.e., UV absorbance is converted to ppm dye). A positive valuerepresents the dye amount that is in excess to the dye amount bound tothe control fabric, whereas a negative value represents the dye amountthat is less than the dye amount bound to the control fabric. A positivevalue would reflect that the glucan ether compound adsorbed to thefabric surface.

It is believed that this assay would demonstrate that quaternaryammonium glucan can adsorb to various types of fabric under differentsalt and pH conditions. This adsorption would suggest that cationicglucan ether derivatives are useful in detergents for fabric care (e.g.,as anti-redeposition agents).

Example 23 Adsorption of the Present α-Glucan Fiber Compositions onVarious Fabrics

This example discloses how one could test the degree of adsorption ofthe present α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition (unmodified) ondifferent types of fabrics.

A 0.07 wt % solution of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition (as prepared in Examples 6 or 7) is made by dissolving 0.105g of the polymer in 149.89 g of deionized water. This solution isdivided into several aliquots with different concentrations of polymer(Table 13). Other components are added such as acid (dilute hydrochloricacid) or base (sodium hydroxide) to modify pH, or NaCl salt.

TABLE 13 α-Glucan Fiber Solutions Useful in Fabric Adsorption StudiesAmount Polymer of NaCl Amount of Concentration Final (g) Solution (g)(wt %) pH 0 15 0.07 ~7 0.15 14.85 0.0693 ~7 0.3 14.7 0.0686 ~7 0.4514.55 0.0679 ~7 0 9.7713 0.0683 ~3 0 9.7724 0.0684 ~5 0 10.0311 0.0702~9 0 9.9057 0.0693 ~11

Four different fabric types (cretonne, polyester, 65:35polyester/cretonne, bleached cotton) are cut into 0.17 g pieces. Eachpiece is placed in a 2-mL well in a 48-well cell culture plate. Eachfabric sample is exposed to 1 mL of each of the above solutions (Table13) for a total of 36 samples (a control solution with no polymer isincluded for each fabric test). The fabric samples are allowed to sitfor at least 30 minutes in the polymer solutions. The fabric samples areremoved from the polymer solutions and rinsed in DI water for at leastone minute to remove any unbound polymer. The fabric samples are thendried at 60° C. for at least 30 minutes until constant dryness isachieved. The fabric samples are weighed after drying and individuallyplaced in 2-mL wells in a clean 48-well cell culture plate. The fabricsamples are then exposed to 1 mL of a 250 ppm Direct Red 80 dyesolution. The samples are left in the dye solution for at least 15minutes. Each fabric sample is removed from the dye solution, afterwhich the dye solution is diluted 10×.

The absorbance of the diluted solutions is measured compared to acontrol sample. A relative measure of the α-glucan polymer adsorbed tothe fabric is calculated based on the calibration curve created inExample 19 for Direct Red 80 dye. Specifically, the difference in UVabsorbance for the fabric samples exposed to polymer compared to thecontrols (fabric not exposed to polymer) represents a relative measureof polymer adsorbed to the fabric. This difference in UV absorbancecould also be expressed as the amount of dye bound to the fabric (overthe amount of dye bound to control), which is calculated using thecalibration curve (i.e., UV absorbance is converted to ppm dye). Apositive value represents the dye amount that is in excess to the dyeamount bound to the control fabric, whereas a negative value representsthe dye amount that is less than the dye amount bound to the controlfabric. A positive value would reflect that the glucan ether compoundadsorbed to the fabric surface.

It is believed that this assay would demonstrate that the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer compositions can adsorb to various types offabric under different salt and pH conditions. This adsorption wouldsuggest that the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositions areuseful in detergents for fabric care (e.g., as anti-redepositionagents).

Example 24 Adsorption of Carboxymethyl α-Glucan (CMG) on Various Fabrics

This example discloses how one could test the degree of adsorption of anα-glucan ether compound (CMG) on different types of fabrics.

A 0.25 wt % solution of CMG is made by dissolving 0.375 g of the polymerin 149.625 g of deionized water. This solution is divided into severalaliquots with different concentrations of polymer (Table 14). Othercomponents are added such as acid (dilute hydrochloric acid) or base(sodium hydroxide) to modify pH, or NaCl salt.

TABLE 14 CMG Solutions Useful in Fabric Adsorption Studies AmountPolymer of NaCl Amount of Concentration Final (g) Solution (g) (wt %) pH0 15 0.25 ~7 0.15 14.85 0.2475 ~7 0.3 14.7 0.245 ~7 0.45 14.55 0.2425 ~70 9.8412 0.2459 ~3 0 9.4965 0.2362 ~5 0 9.518 0.2319 ~9 0 9.8811 0.247~11

Four different fabric types (cretonne, polyester, 65:35polyester/cretonne, bleached cotton) are cut into 0.17 g pieces. Eachpiece is placed in a 2-mL well in a 48-well cell culture plate. Eachfabric sample is exposed to 1 mL of each of the above solutions (Table14) for a total of 36 samples (a control solution with no polymer isincluded for each fabric test). The fabric samples are allowed to sitfor at least 30 minutes in the polymer solutions. The fabric samples areremoved from the polymer solutions and rinsed in DI water for at leastone minute to remove any unbound polymer. The fabric samples are thendried at 60° C. for at least 30 minutes until constant dryness isachieved. The fabric samples are weighed after drying and individuallyplaced in 2-mL wells in a clean 48-well cell culture plate. The fabricsamples are then exposed to 1 mL of a 250 ppm Toluidine Blue dyesolution. The samples are left in the dye solution for at least 15minutes. Each fabric sample is removed from the dye solution, afterwhich the dye solution is diluted 10×.

The absorbance of the diluted solutions is measured compared to acontrol sample. A relative measure of CMG polymer adsorbed to the fabricis calculated based on the calibration curve created in Example 19 forToluidine Blue dye. Specifically, the difference in UV absorbance forthe fabric samples exposed to polymer compared to the controls (fabricnot exposed to polymer) represents a relative measure of polymeradsorbed to the fabric. This difference in UV absorbance could also beexpressed as the amount of dye bound to the fabric (over the amount ofdye bound to control), which is calculated using the calibration curve(i.e., UV absorbance is converted to ppm dye). A positive valuerepresents the dye amount that is in excess to the dye amount bound tothe control fabric, whereas a negative value represents the dye amountthat is less than the dye amount bound to the control fabric. A positivevalue would reflect that the CMG polymer adsorbed to the fabric surface.

It is believed that this assay would demonstrate that CMG polymer canadsorb to various types of fabric under different salt and pHconditions. This adsorption would suggest that the present glucan etherderivatives are useful in detergents for fabric care (e.g., asanti-redeposition agents).

Example 25 Effect of Cellulase on Carboxymethyl Glucan (CMG)

This example discloses how one could test the stability of an α-glucanether, CMG, in the presence of cellulase compared to the stability ofcarboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Stability to cellulase would indicateapplicability of CMG to use in cellulase-containingcompositions/processes such as in fabric care.

Solutions (1 wt %) of CMC (M_(w)=90000, DoS=0.7) or CMG are treated withcellulase or amylase as follows. CMG or CMC polymer (100 mg) is added toa clean 20-mL glass scintillation vial equipped with a PTFE stir bar.Water (10.0 mL) that has been previously adjusted to pH 7.0 using 5 vol% sodium hydroxide or 5 vol % sulfuric acid is then added to thescintillation vial, and the mixture is agitated until a solution (1 wt%) forms. A cellulase or amylase enzyme is added to the solution, whichis then agitated for 24 hours at room temperature (˜25° C.). Eachenzyme-treated sample is analyzed by SEC (above) to determine themolecular weight of the treated polymer. Negative controls are conductedas above, but without the addition of a cellulase or amylase. Variousenzymatic treatments of CMG and CMC that could be performed are listedin Table 15, for example.

TABLE 15 Measuring Stability of CMG and CMC Against Degradation byCellulase or Amylase Enzyme Enzyme Polymer Enzyme Type Loading CMC noneN/A — CMC PURADAX HA Cellulase 1 mg/mL 1200E CMC PREFERENZ S Amylase 3μL/mL 100 CMG none N/A — CMG PURADAX HA Cellulase 1 mg/mL 1200E CMGPREFERENZ S Amylase 3 μL/mL 100 CMG PURASTAR ST L Amylase 3 μL/mL CMGPURADAX EG L Cellulase 3 μL/mL

It is believed that the enzymatic studies in Table 15 would indicatethat CMC is highly susceptible to degradation by cellulase, whereas CMGis more resistant to this degradation. It is also believed that thesestudies would indicate that both CMC and CMG are largely stable toamylase.

Use of CMC for providing viscosity to an aqueous composition (e.g.,laundry or dishwashing detergent) containing cellulase would beunacceptable. CMG on the other hand, given its stability to cellulase,would be useful for cellulase-containing aqueous compositions such asdetergents.

Example 26 Effect of Cellulase on Carboxymethyl Glucan (CMG)

This example discloses how one could test the stability of the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer composition (unmodified) in the presence ofcellulase compared to the stability of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).Stability to cellulase would indicate applicability of the presentα-glucan oligomer/polymer composition to use in cellulase-containingcompositions/processes, such as in fabric care.

Solutions (1 wt %) of CMC (M_(w)=90000, DoS=0.7) or the present α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition as described in Examples 6 or 7 are treatedwith cellulase or amylase as follows. The present α-glucanoligomer/polymer composition or CMC polymer (100 mg) is added to a clean20-mL glass scintillation vial equipped with a PTFE stir bar. Water(10.0 mL) that has been previously adjusted to pH 7.0 using 5 vol %sodium hydroxide or 5 vol % sulfuric acid is then added to thescintillation vial, and the mixture is agitated until a solution (1 wt%) forms. A cellulase or amylase enzyme is added to the solution, whichis then agitated for 24 hours at room temperature (˜25° C.). Eachenzyme-treated sample is analyzed by SEC (above) to determine themolecular weight of the treated polymer. Negative controls are conductedas above, but without the addition of a cellulase or amylase. Variousenzymatic treatments of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymercomposition and CMC that could be performed are listed in Table 16, forexample.

TABLE 16 Measuring Stability of an α-Glucan Fiber Composition and CMCAgainst Degradation by Cellulase or Amylase Enzyme Enzyme Polymer EnzymeType Loading CMC none N/A — CMC PURADAX HA Cellulase 1 mg/mL 1200E CMCPREFERENZ S Amylase 3 μL/mL 100 α-GF¹ none N/A — α-GF PURADAX HACellulase 1 mg/mL 1200E α-GF PREFERENZ S Amylase 3 μL/mL 100 α-GFPURASTAR Amylase 3 μL/mL ST L α-GF PURADAX EG L Cellulase 3 μL/mL ¹=α-GF is the present α-glucan fiber.

It is believed that the enzymatic studies in Table 16 would indicatethat CMC is highly susceptible to degradation by cellulase, whereas thepresent α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition is more resistant to thisdegradation. It is also believed that these studies would indicate thatboth CMC and the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition arelargely stable to amylase.

Use of CMC for providing viscosity to an aqueous composition (e.g.,laundry or dishwashing detergent) containing cellulase would beunacceptable. The present α-glucan oligomer/polymer composition(unmodified) on the other hand, given its stability to cellulase, wouldbe useful for cellulase-containing aqueous compositions such asdetergents.

Example 27 Preparation of Hydroxypropyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative,hydroxypropyl α-glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is mixed with 101 g of toluene and 5 mLof 20% sodium hydroxide. This preparation is stirred in a 500-mL glassbeaker on a magnetic stir plate at 55° C. for 30 minutes. Thepreparation is then transferred to a shaker tube reactor after which 34g of propylene oxide is added; the reaction is then stirred at 75° C.for 3 hours. The reaction is then neutralized with 20 g of acetic acidand the hydroxypropyl α-glucan formed is collected, washed with 70%aqueous ethanol or hot water, and dried. The molar substitution (MS) ofthe product is determined by NMR.

Example 28 Preparation of Hydroxyethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative,hydroxyethyl poly alpha-1,3-glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is mixed with 150 mL of isopropanol and40 mL of 30% sodium hydroxide. This preparation is stirred in a 500-mLglass beaker on a magnetic stir plate at 55° C. for 1 hour, and then isstirred overnight at ambient temperature. The preparation is thentransferred to a shaker tube reactor after which 15 g of ethylene oxideis added; the reaction is then stirred at 60° C. for 6 hour. Thereaction is then allowed to remain in the sealed shaker tube overnight(approximately 16 hours) before it is neutralized with 20.2 g of aceticacid thereby forming hydroxyethyl glucan. The hydroxyethyl glucan solidsis collected and is washed in a beaker by adding a methanol:acetone(60:40 v/v) mixture and stirring with a stir bar for 20 minutes. Themethanol:acetone mixture is then filtered away from the solids. Thiswashing step is repeated two times prior to drying of the product. Themolar substitution (MS) of the product is determined by NMR.

Example 29 Preparation of Ethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, ethylglucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to a shaker tube, after whichsodium hydroxide (1-70% solution) and ethyl chloride are added toprovide a reaction. The reaction is heated to 25-200° C. and held atthat temperature for 1-48 hours before the reaction is neutralized withacetic acid. The resulting product is collected washed, and analyzed byNMR and SEC to determine the molecular weight and degree of substitution(DoS) of the ethyl glucan.

Example 30 Preparation of Ethyl Hydroxyethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, ethylhydroxyethyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to a shaker tube, after whichsodium hydroxide (1-70% solution) is added. Then, ethyl chloride isadded followed by an ethylene oxide/ethyl chloride mixture to provide areaction. The reaction is slowly heated to 25-200° C. and held at thattemperature for 1-48 hours before being neutralized with acetic acid.The product formed is collected, washed, dried under a vacuum at 20-70°C., and then analyzed by NMR and SEC to determine the molecular weightand DoS of the ethyl hydroxyethyl glucan.

Example 31 Preparation of Methyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, methylglucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is mixed with 40 mL of 30% sodiumhydroxide and 40 mL of 2-propanol, and is stirred at 55° C. for 1 hourto provide alkali glucan. This preparation is then filtered, if needed,using a Buchner funnel. The alkali glucan is then mixed with 150 mL of2-propanol. A shaker tube reactor is charged with the mixture and 15 gof methyl chloride is added to provide a reaction. The reaction isstirred at 70° C. for 17 hours. The resulting methyl glucan solid isfiltered and neutralized with 20 mL 90% acetic acid, followed by three200-mL ethanol washes. The resulting product is analyzed by NMR and SECto determine the molecular weight and degree of substitution (DoS).

Example 32 Preparation of Hydroxyalkyl Methyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative,hydroxyalkyl methyl α-glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to a vessel, after which sodiumhydroxide (5-70% solution) is added. This preparation is stirred for0.5-8 hours. Then, methyl chloride is added to the vessel to provide areaction, which is then heated to 30-100° C. for up to 14 days. Analkylene oxide (e.g., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide,etc.) is then added to the reaction while controlling the temperature.The reaction is heated to 25-100° C. for up to 14 days before beingneutralized with acid. The product thus formed is filtered, washed anddried. The resulting product is analyzed by NMR and SEC to determine themolecular weight and degree of substitution (DoS).

Example 33

Preparation of Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative,carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to an aliquot of a substancesuch as isopropanol or toluene in a 400-mL capacity shaker tube, afterwhich sodium hydroxide (1-70% solution) is added. This preparation isstirred for up to 48 hours. Then, monochloroacetic acid is added toprovide a reaction, which is then heated to 25-100° C. for up to 14days. Ethylene oxide is then added to the reaction, which is then heatedto 25-100° C. for up to 14 days before being neutralized with acid(e.g., acetic, sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, etc.). The product thusformed is collected, washed and dried. The resulting product is analyzedby NMR and SEC to determine the molecular weight and degree ofsubstitution (DoS).

Example 34 Preparation of Sodium Carboxymethyl Hydroxyethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, sodiumcarboxymethyl hydroxyethyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to an aliquot of an alcohol suchas isopropanol in a 400-mL capacity shaker tube, after which sodiumhydroxide (1-70% solution) is added. This preparation is stirred for upto 48 hours. Then, sodium monochloroacetate is added to provide areaction, which is then heated to 25-100° C. for up to 14 days. Ethyleneoxide is then added to the reaction, which is then heated to 25-100° C.for up to 14 days before being neutralized with acid (e.g., acetic,sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, etc.). The product thus formed iscollected, washed and dried. The resulting product is analyzed by NMRand SEC to determine the molecular weight and degree of substitution(DoS).

Example 35 Preparation of Carboxymethyl Hydroxypropyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative,carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to an aliquot of a substancesuch as isopropanol or toluene in a 400-mL capacity shaker tube, afterwhich sodium hydroxide (1-70% solution) is added. This preparation isstirred for up to 48 hours. Then, monochloroacetic acid is added toprovide a reaction, which is then heated to 25-100° C. for up to 14days. Propylene oxide is then added to the reaction, which is thenheated to 25-100° C. for up to 14 days before being neutralized withacid (e.g., acetic, sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, etc.). The solidproduct thus formed is collected, washed and dried. The resultingproduct is analyzed by NMR and SEC to determine the molecular weight anddegree of substitution (DoS).

Example 36 Preparation of Sodium Carboxymethyl Hydroxypropyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, sodiumcarboxymethyl hydroxypropyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to an aliquot of a substancesuch as isopropanol or toluene in a 400-mL capacity shaker tube, afterwhich sodium hydroxide (1-70% solution) is added. This preparation isstirred for up to 48 hours. Then, sodium monochloroacetate is added toprovide a reaction, which is then heated to 25-100° C. for up to 14days. Propylene oxide is then added to the reaction, which is thenheated to 25-100° C. for up to 14 days before being neutralized withacid (e.g., acetic, sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, etc.). The productthus formed is collected, washed and dried. The resulting product isanalyzed by NMR and SEC to determine the molecular weight and degree ofsubstitution (DoS).

Example 37 Preparation of Potassium Carboxymethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, potassiumcarboxymethyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to 200 mL of isopropanol in a500-mL capacity round bottom flask fitted with a thermocouple fortemperature monitoring and a condenser connected to a recirculatingbath, and a magnetic stir bar. 40 mL of potassium hydroxide (15%solution) is added drop wise to this preparation, which is then heatedto 25° C. on a hotplate. The preparation is stirred for 1 hour beforethe temperature is increased to 55° C. Potassium chloroacetate (12 g) isthen added to provide a reaction, which was held at 55° C. for 3 hoursbefore being neutralized with 90% acetic acid. The product formed wascollected, washed with ethanol (70%), and dried under vacuum at 20-25°C. The resulting product is analyzed by NMR and SEC to determine themolecular weight and degree of substitution (DoS).

Example 38 Preparation of Lithium Carboxymethyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing the glucan ether derivative, lithiumcarboxymethyl glucan.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Examples 6 or 7 is added to 200 mL of isopropanol in a500-mL capacity round bottom flask fitted with a thermocouple fortemperature monitoring and a condenser connected to a recirculatingbath, and a magnetic stir bar. 50 mL of lithium hydroxide (11.3%solution) is added drop wise to this preparation, which is then heatedto 25° C. on a hotplate. The preparation is stirred for 1 hour beforethe temperature is increased to 55° C. Lithium chloroacetate (12 g) isthen added to provide a reaction, which is held at 55° C. for 3 hoursbefore being neutralized with 90% acetic acid. The product formed iscollected, washed with ethanol (70%), and dried under vacuum at 20-25°C. The resulting product is analyzed by NMR and SEC to determine themolecular weight and degree of substitution (DoS).

Example 39 Preparation of a Dihydroxyalkyl α-Glucan

This Example describes producing a dihydroxyalkyl ether derivative ofα-glucan. Specifically, dihydroxypropyl glucan is produced.

Approximately 10 g of the present α-glucan oligomer/polymer compositionas prepared in Example 6 or 7 is added to 100 mL of 20%tetraethylammonium hydroxide in a 500-mL capacity round bottom flaskfitted with a thermocouple for temperature monitoring and a condenserconnected to a recirculating bath, and a magnetic stir bar (resulting in˜9.1 wt % poly alpha-1,3-glucan). This preparation is stirred and heatedto 30° C. on a hotplate. The preparation is stirred for 1 hour todissolve any solids before the temperature is increased to 55° C.3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (6.7 g) and 11 g of DI water were then added toprovide a reaction (containing ˜5.2 wt % 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol),which is held at 55° C. for 1.5 hours after which time 5.6 g of DI wateris added to the reaction. The reaction is held at 55° C. for anadditional 3 hours and 45 minutes before being neutralized with aceticacid. After neutralization, an excess of isopropanol is added. Theproduct formed was collected, washed with ethanol (95%), and dried undervacuum at 20-25° C. The resulting product is analyzed by NMR and SEC todetermine the molecular weight and degree of substitution (DoS).

What is claimed is:
 1. A fabric care or laundry care compositioncomprising: (a) a soluble α-glucan composition, wherein the glycosidiclinkages of the α-glucan composition consist of: (i) 25-35% α-(1,3)glycosidic linkages, (ii) 55-75% α-(1,6) glycosidic linkages, and (iii)5-15% α-(1,3,6) glycosidic linkages, wherein the % glycosidic linkagesare determined by methylation analysis; wherein the α-glucan compositionhas (iv) a weight average molecular weight of less than 5000 Daltons,(v) a viscosity of less than 0.25 Pascal second (Pa·s) at 12 wt % inwater at 20° C., (vi) a solubility of at least 20% (w/w) in water at 25°C., and (vii) a polydispersity index of less than 5; and (b) at leastone additional fabric care or laundry care ingredient.
 2. The fabriccare or laundry care composition of claim 1, wherein the additionalingredient is at least one cellulase.
 3. The fabric care or laundry carecomposition of claim 1, wherein the additional ingredient is at leastone protease.
 4. The fabric care or laundry care composition of claim 1,wherein the fabric care or laundry care composition comprises 0.01 to 90wt % of the soluble α-glucan composition.
 5. The fabric care or laundrycare composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one additionalingredient comprises at least one of surfactants selected from anionicsurfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, or zwitterionicsurfactants; enzymes selected from proteases, cellulases, polyesterases,amylases, cutinases, lipases, pectate lyases, perhydrolases, xylanases,peroxidases, or laccases; detergent builders, complexing agents,polymers, soil release polymers, surfactancy-boosting polymers,bleaching systems, bleach activators, bleaching catalysts, fabricconditioners, clays, foam boosters, suds suppressors, anti-corrosionagents, soil-suspending agents, anti-soil redeposition agents, dyes,bactericides, tarnish inhibiters, optical brighteners, perfumes,saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, dye transfer inhibiting agents,chelating agents, hueing dyes, calcium and magnesium cations, visualsignaling ingredients, anti-foam, structurants, thickeners, anti-cakingagents, starch, sand, or gelling agents.
 6. The fabric care or laundrycare composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in the form of aliquid, a gel, a powder, a hydrocolloid, an aqueous solution, granules,tablets, capsules, single compartment sachets, or multi-compartmentsachets.
 7. The fabric care or laundry care composition of claim 1,wherein the α-glucan composition is cellulase resistant, proteaseresistant, or amylase resistant.
 8. A method of treating an article ofclothing, textile, or fabric, said method comprising: (a) providing afabric care or laundry care composition according to claim 1; (b)contacting, under suitable conditions, the composition of (a) with afabric, textile, or article of clothing, whereby the fabric, textile, orarticle of clothing is treated by the composition; and (c) optionally,rinsing the treated fabric, textile, or article of clothing of (b).